New Investments in Turkey by Tawazun
Relation regarding the Defence Industry between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey was first established in the IDEX fair that took place in UAE in 2007. The bilateral relations continued and grew stronger in the level of governments ever since. Firstly, Aselsan in 2009, sold STAMP systems for covering the demands of UAE’s Armed Forces. The same year, Yonca-Onuk Shipyard made an agreement with the UAE on the sale of 34 coast guard boats for UAE Army. In 2011, UAE’s Defence company IGG and Aselsan pressed the button for joint production and established IGG Aselsan Systems LCC (IAIS) company located in UAE. As a result of the export achievements starting with Aselsan and Yonca-Onuk, UAE became an inviting market for Turkish Defence companies.
At IDEX 2013 fair, an agreement worth of 196 million dollars has been signed between Roketsan and Tawazun. Within the framework of this agreement Roketsan and Tawazun shall enable the integration of “Cirit” 2.75 Laser Guided Missile into the Air, Sea and Air platforms of the United Arab Emirates Army.
Al Hajeri: We wish to transfer technology to United Arab Emirates
In 2013, in order to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) and Tawazun, opening of mutual offices in both countries was decided. Answering our questions regarding their office and their future investments in Turkey at IDEF, Tawazun Holding’s CEO H.E Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri said, “This office shall help us to be close to Turkish companies. We believe we have a lot to accomplish with Turkish companies. We shall be close to our potential partners with this office and thus our determination of future business opportunities shall be easier”. Stating that they were in search of firms for going beyond the United Arab Emirates, Al Hajeri said at Industrial Cooperation on Defence and Aviation Days at Ankara in March that they were in touch with over 20 firms under the coordination of SSM. Al Hajeri added “We negotiated with over 20 firms and made various visits in order to know them well. We are in touch with the small and medium scaled companies as well and our reason for being in this fair is to know them better. We believe in the companies and technology existing at this fair. Transfer of technology to United Arab Emirates is vital for us and our efforts in this respect are ongoing. We have two paths here. We may invest by purchasing shares of certain companies. We may take the support of several companies for some of our ongoing businesses at the United Arab Emirates and thus invest. The Undersecretariat for Defence Industries is providing assistance to us in evaluating the opportunities and then moving onto the second phase”. Al Hajeri mentioned that none of their efforts have been accomplished so far however they were very close to the final and continued “We wish to find companies that are similar with those in United Arab Emirates. We have certain criteria in this case. Primarily the companies should have R&D and their organization, capabilities, visions and way of thinking and last but not least how they export their businesses is of essence”.
Al Hajeri: “Aselsan and IGG partnership has been a brilliant move”
Sharing his views on the partnership established between Aselsan and United Arab Emirates Company International Golden Group (IGG), Al Hajeri remarked, “I believe that Aselsan made a clever move by establishing a partnership with IGG and by founding a facility in Abu Dhabi in order to be close to the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces to whom they will present their products. In my opinion this partnership is a great start for them and that they have a great amount of work to achieve in Abu Dhabi”.
Final is near at the 8x8 Project
Al Hajeri making statements on the purchase of six hundred 8x8 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicles for meeting the demands of the UAE Army: “Many countries from all over the world participated in this tender with some Turkish companies. At the final election, Otokar has been shortlisted with her vehicle Arma. The evaluations are continuing presently at the committee. Some tests are taking place over the vehicle. A decision may come out following this summer or at the last quarter of 2013”.
