Abu Dhabi: Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is in the final stages to supply military equipment to a number of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, said the company’s President & chief executive.
TAI is a manufacturer of civilian and military equipment, including helicopters, airplanes and drones.
Muharrem Dortkasli would not say which countries TAI is talking to because the contracts are yet to be signed. He said the military programmes play an important role in Turkey’s international relations.
TAI is 45 per cent owned by the Turkish Undersecretary for Defence Industries for the Ministry of Defence and 55 per cent owned by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TAFF).
TAFF is managed by a Board of Trustees formed from the Minister of National Defence, Deputy Chief of General Staff, Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Defence and Undersecretary of Defence Industry.
Dortkasli’s comments come amid cagey relations between some Gulf States and Turkey. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have taken a difference stance to Turkey, by supporting the ousting of former Egyptian President Mohammad Mursi.
