Türkiye boosts defense ties with Africa: Agreement with Sierra Leone approved

Türkiye’s Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee approved a defense agreement with Sierra Leone, a West African country, marking a significant step in strengthening ties between the two nations.

This agreement highlights the growing interest of African countries in Türkiye’s defense industry, particularly as they face increasing security challenges.

Unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), a cornerstone of Türkiye’s defense exports, are expected to be crucial in addressing these threats and enhancing regional security.

To date, Türkiye has signed defense industry agreements with 30 African countries. These agreements enable some nations to use Turkish defense products in their fight against terrorism.

Officials from the Presidency of Defence Industries highlighted that the agreements serve as a legal framework for bilateral relations, especially with countries where cooperation has been minimal.

In a presentation to the committee, they stated: “Such agreements establish the first point of approach for countries with which we have almost no prior cooperation.”

Providing further details, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nuh Yilmaz said: “Terrorist incidents in the coastal region and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea pose major threats to regional security. For this reason, Sierra Leone seeks to develop defense industry cooperation with Türkiye.”

The agreement with Sierra Leone aims to create a legal foundation for defense collaboration between the two countries. It focuses on joint production, technology transfer, mutual procurement, and the sale of co-produced items to third countries, while also providing market opportunities for Turkish defense products.