Türkiye, Saudi Arabia to deepen defense cooperation, eye joint investment in KAAN project

By Esra Tekin, Kanyshai Butun, and Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye and Saudi Arabia will enhance their cooperation in the defense industry, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his return flight from Cairo, noting that his country's homegrown stealth fighter jet KAAN has been praised.

"We have received a lot of positive feedback on KAAN. There is a joint investment with Saudi Arabia in this area, and we can implement this partnership at any moment," Erdogan told reporters.

Ankara and Riyadh signed "major" defense industry cooperation deals, Erdogan stressed, expressing Türkiye's determination to expand them.

About the ongoing tension between Iran and the US, Erdogan expressed his hope that tensions between the two nations will be resolved via dialogue, stressing the importance of establishing a negotiating table.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, the president said Türkiye will play an active role to ensure the "proper" implementation of the Gaza peace plan and restore peace and stability in Gaza.