Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) has reached an agreement to establish a joint venture with Qatar-based Barzan Holding. With the memorandum of understanding signed at DIMDEX 2026, the path has been paved for the export of the MKE TOLGA Short-Range Air Defence System to Qatar.
One of the long-established institutions of the Turkish defence industry, Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE), continues to deepen its international cooperation by sharing its know-how and production capabilities in the defence field with friendly and allied countries. In this context, the strategic partnership process between MKE and Barzan Holding, which is affiliated with the Qatari Ministry of Defence and covers defence and investment activities, has entered a new phase.
Following the cooperation protocol signed in Doha last February with the participation of Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, the parties agreed to provide a corporate, sustainable and long-term structure for joint projects. Accordingly, it was decided that defence industry projects would be implemented under the “Joint Venture” model.
Joint Venture Agreement Signed at DIMDEX 2026
The memorandum of understanding regarding the establishment of a joint venture between MKE and Barzan Holding was signed on 19 January 2026 at the DIMDEX Exhibition held in Doha. The ceremony took place in the presence of Deputy Minister of National Defence Musa Heybet, President of the Presidency of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün, and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saud bin Abdurrahman bin Hasan bin Ali Al Sani.
The agreement was signed by MKE General Manager İlhami Keleş and Barzan Holding CEO Mohammed Al Sadah.
Key Points of the Memorandum of Understanding
Within the scope of the signed agreement, a consensus was reached on:
- Establishing a joint venture in Qatar between MKE and Barzan Holding,
- Providing Qatar with explosive production capability through this partnership,
- The sale of MKE’s high-technology solution, the TOLGA Short-Range Air Defence System, to Qatar.
MKE TOLGA Short-Range Air Defence System to Enter Qatar’s Inventory
Developed by MKE with the “Effective – Simple – Affordable” approach, the MKE TOLGA Short-Range Air Defence System has attracted significant attention nationally and internationally since the day it was first introduced. Designed with domestic capabilities to counter the increasing threat of mini and micro UAVs, tactical drones, smart munitions and cruise missiles on today’s battlefield, the system is preparing to achieve its first export success with Qatar.
Upon completion of the sales process, MKE TOLGA will be included in the inventory of the Qatari Armed Forces, one of Türkiye’s strategic partners.
Incorporating radar, jammer and weapon systems, TOLGA will play an effective role in missions such as:
- Protection of refineries,
- Airports,
- Military bases and compounds,
- Ports and critical facilities,
- Defence of ground forces, mobile convoys and naval platforms.
The munitions used in the system were also specially developed by MKE engineers. The anti-drone munition, whose detonation time and distance can be optimised, neutralises threats with high effectiveness by creating a cloud of metal fragments around the target thanks to its fragmentary structure.
