Türkiye and Qatar significantly deepened their cooperation in the defence industry within the scope of the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2026, held in Doha. The collaboration was concretised through strategic agreements signed between Qatari Barzan Holding and leading Turkish defence industry companies.
$1 billion agreement for Istif-class frigates
One of the most striking developments of the event was the signing of an agreement worth approximately $1 billion between Barzan Holding and the Turkish shipbuilding consortium TAIS for the procurement of two Istif-class frigates.
The agreement carries particular significance as it is being made on behalf of an international customer, the Indonesian Navy. Previously, within the scope of this project, a preliminary agreement had been reached between TAIS Shipyards and the Indonesian Ministry of Defence at the IDEF Defence Industry Fair held in Istanbul in July 2025. The memorandum signed at DIMDEX 2026 is regarded as an important milestone in this process.
Joint production and technology sharing in unmanned systems
Unmanned systems also took centre stage in the collaborations at DIMDEX 2026. STM signed a memorandum of understanding with Barzan Holding for the joint production and development of unmanned aerial systems.
Within the scope of the agreement, it is aimed to:
- Expand cooperation to also cover unmanned naval platforms,
- Enable local production and integration of tactical unmanned aerial vehicles in Qatar,
- Provide support in the fields of engineering, system development and technology integration.
This move by STM is seen as an important step that strengthens Türkiye’s vision for exports and joint production in defence technologies.
Five strategic agreements formalised
According to a statement by the Presidency of Defence Industries of Türkiye (SSB), a total of five significant cooperation agreements were formalised between Barzan Holding and ASELSAN, ASFAT, MKE, STM and TAIS within the scope of DIMDEX 2026.
These agreements cover critical areas such as:
- Ammunition production,
- Systems engineering,
- Naval platforms,
- Knowledge and technology sharing in defence technologies.
The collaborations are expected to elevate Türkiye–Qatar defence industry relations to a long-term and multi-dimensional structure.
