IRIA News

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Turkey and Egypt signed a landmark agreement on March 27, 2025, to jointly produce advanced unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) at the Kader Advanced Industrial Factory in Cairo.

The partnership will utilize Turkish defense giant Havelsan’s engineering expertise to develop a new generation of autonomous systems specifically designed for Egyptian military needs.

This strategic defense cooperation marks a turning point in Ankara and Cairo’s evolving relationship, underscoring a broader regional shift toward joint innovation, technological transfer, and localized defense manufacturing.

A milestone in regional defense collaboration

The agreement has Havelsan’s direct involvement in the production and development process. The Ankara-based defense technology company will not only provide engineering support but will also facilitate critical technology transfers and assist with licensing to ensure the successful co-production of the new UGV systems.

We’ve signed a strategic agreement to co-produce UGVs in Egypt—with tech transfer & licensing support from HAVELSAN.

“This is about shared expertise and vision.” – HAVELSAN Vice President Şevket Ünal

🔗 https://t.co/DzHiFZIj2y#UGV #Egypt #HAVELSAN pic.twitter.com/Ko0bEX4FQa

— HAVELSAN Global (@havelsanglobal) March 27, 2025

According to Havelsan Deputy General Manager Sevket Unal, the deal symbolizes more than just defense collaboration, it represents a shared commitment to regional security and capability enhancement.

“We are proud to be co-producing advanced unmanned ground vehicles with our Egyptian partners,” he stated. “This partnership marks a significant step forward in strengthening the defense capabilities of both nations.”

A custom UGV for Egypt

While Havelsan has gained international recognition for its Barkan UGV, a state-of-the-art unmanned system used primarily for reconnaissance, logistics, and infantry support, company officials clarified that the UGV to be produced in Egypt will not be a clone of Barkan.

Instead, the upcoming platform will feature a “tailored design” adapted to Egypt’s specific operational requirements and the distinct geographical and strategic landscape of the Middle East.

“The UGV to be built in Cairo is not a copy-paste model of Barkan,” a company official said. “It will be a uniquely designed vehicle that addresses the Egyptian Armed Forces’ needs, especially considering the terrain, climate, and operational priorities in the region.”

This approach signals a move away from simple arms sales toward a more holistic model of collaborative defense development, blending technical capacity building, joint research and development (R&D), and sustainable production lines.

Strategic timing and vision

The prototype’s development is scheduled to begin within two weeks at the Kader Advanced Industrial Factory, a leading Egyptian defense manufacturer. Both sides aim to present the prototype at the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX) in December 2025, a major international defense exhibition that Egypt hosts biannually in Cairo.

This timeline reflects the urgency and priority both governments are placing on the program, which is expected to strengthen not only bilateral defense relations but also Egypt’s ambitions to become a regional defense production hub.

For Turkey, the agreement complements its broader strategy of expanding defense industry partnerships across the Middle East and Africa, reducing dependency on traditional Western defense suppliers, and promoting indigenous defense technologies through export and joint production.

For Egypt, the partnership supports its ongoing military modernization efforts and the broader objective of achieving technological self-sufficiency in key defense sectors.

Broader implications

The Turkish-Egyptian agreement could have far-reaching implications for the regional balance of power. By establishing a jointly operated, technologically advanced UGV production capability in North Africa, the two countries are setting a precedent for intra-regional defense cooperation at a time when the global security environment is rapidly evolving.

Moreover, this deal may signal a thawing of previously strained relations between Ankara and Cairo, which have improved markedly in recent years. Both nations now appear aligned in their desire to create regional resilience and to leverage each other’s strengths to meet common security challenges.

Yapay zekâ, gerçek güç 💪

Silahlı Otonom İnsansız Kara Aracımız BARKAN geliyor

Dijital Birliklere hazır olun 👇https://t.co/0ofWdcuuZd pic.twitter.com/Tq20rnoGR7

— HAVELSAN (@HAVELSANResmi) May 23, 2021

The collaboration also places both countries at the forefront of a broader shift toward unmanned and autonomous defense systems. As the global defense industry increasingly moves toward AI-powered and unmanned platforms, Egypt and Turkey are positioning themselves as regional leaders in this space.

With prototype development set to begin imminently and the first public unveiling planned for December, all eyes will be on the Egypt Defense Expo to see the fruits of this partnership.

For now, the agreement stands as a testament to what can be achieved through strategic alignment, mutual respect, and a shared vision for technological advancement in the defense sector.