Why are Gulf countries turning to Turkey’s defense industry?
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Why Gulf States Are Turning to Turkey’s Defense Industry
In the last five years, Turkey has gone from being a secondary market for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to their main supplier. The question is no longer whether Gulf countries will buy from Turkey, but what they will buy, when, and through what kind of partnerships. In this article, we explore the structural reasons behind this shift.
Rapid Delivery
In a defense market where timelines are measured in months, not years, Turkey stands out. Bayraktar TB2 drones can be delivered within 12 to 18 months of a contract signing, and Roketsan missiles arrive in a similar timeframe. In comparison, U.S. approval for F-35 fighter jets or Patriot systems can take years, and sometimes an entire decade.
Political Flexibility
U.S. missiles and systems come with export restrictions such as strict end-user conditions (end-user monitoring) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Similar restrictions in Turkey are much more lenient. This means any Gulf state can purchase Turkish drones and use them in operations that Washington might oppose.
Technology transfer and local production
Qatar produces BMC armored vehicles in Doha. Saudi Arabia is in negotiations for a comprehensive technology transfer. Turkey offers a “buy and build” model: purchase the system, set up the factory. While the United States is not as generous in offering this model, China offers it at a different cost.
Cultural and religious compatibility
This is a practical factor. Training can be conducted in Arabic. Communication between Turkish officers and their counterparts in Gulf countries is faster and has less friction compared to other alternatives. This shortens the learning curve and reduces the need for intermediaries.
Combat history
The Bayraktar TB2 drone has proven itself in Syria, Libya, Karabakh, and Ukraine. The Atmaca anti-ship missile is also already in service. This is not a marketing campaign; it is a real combat history that procurement officials in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha are closely examining.
In summary
Gulf countries are turning to Turkey because the equation is simple: reasonable capabilities offered at a reasonable price, at a reasonable speed, and without complex political strings attached. This is a package that Washington does not offer; Moscow’s comes with risks of sanctions, and Beijing’s, while cheaper, lacks political clout.
