Following a landmark diplomatic tour to Riyadh and Cairo, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced a significant expansion of Türkiye’s defense and energy partnerships, headlined by joint investments in the homegrown “KAAN” stealth fighter jet and a massive 5,000-megawatt renewable energy agreement with Saudi Arabia.
Returning from his high-level visits, President Erdogan characterized the “KAAN” fifth-generation aircraft as more than a military asset, calling it “a symbol of Türkiye’s engineering capability and independent defense will.” He confirmed that Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are prepared to implement joint investment in this area “at any moment,” following the signing of several major defense industry cooperation agreements.
Türkiye aims to elevate ties with Saudi Arabia across energy, defense and key sectors.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pic.twitter.com/mqr3L0sy05
— Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi (@MansurQr) February 3, 2026
A New Era of Defense and Strategic Autonomy
The President highlighted the growing momentum in the Türkiye-Saudi-Egypt axis, emphasizing a “regional ownership” approach to Middle East security.
- The KAAN Project: Prototypes of the pioneering stealth fighter are scheduled for flight this summer.
- Trilateral Cooperation: Discussions between Ankara, Riyadh, and Cairo focused on stabilizing regional conflicts, with a specific focus on Palestine and Syria.
- Defense Exports: President Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to supporting allied nations’ defense needs through homegrown technology.
Energy Transition: The 5,000 MW Renewable Partnership
A cornerstone of the visit to Riyadh was a landmark agreement between Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Saudi Energy Ministry.
- Scope: Saudi companies will construct solar and wind power plants in Türkiye with a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts.
- Impact: Initial 1,000-megawatt solar projects in Sivas and Karaman will power approximately 2.1 million Turkish households.
- Timeline: Construction is slated to begin in 2027, utilizing international credit mechanisms and targeting 50% local content.
Economic Diplomacy and Regional Stability
President Erdogan noted that bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia reached $8 billion in 2025, with Turkish contractors managing over 400 projects worth nearly $30 billion. Looking forward, Türkiye seeks to play a primary role in infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
On the escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, the President took a firm stance against military intervention:
“We are clearly against military intervention against Iran. The solution to problems is not conflict but meeting on common ground and negotiating.”
President Erdogan confirmed he is maintaining active dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to prevent the region from being “dragged into a new conflict or chaos.”
📌 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh ⤵️
🖊️ Four agreements were signed between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia
◾️The leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional issues, including energy and defense
◾️Erdogan voiced determination… pic.twitter.com/ZRUHMarFEv
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 3, 2026
Commitment to Gaza and Syria
Regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, President Erdogan stated that Türkiye is working “not on paper, but on the ground” to ensure the implementation of the peace plan and the delivery of aid via the Rafah crossing in coordination with Egypt. On Syria, he advocated for a “one state, one army, one Syria” policy, focusing on territorial integrity and the elimination of separatist terrorism.
