Defence Minister’s meeting with the Chairman of the Defence Industry of the Republic of Türkiye

Minister of National Defence, Angel Tîlvăr, had an official meeting with the Chairman of the Defence Industry of the Republic of Türkiye, Haluk Görgün, a ministerial dignitary. The meeting took place in the context of defence minister’s participation in the IDEX&NAVDEX 2025 International Defence Conference, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The talks focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation opportunities and prospects for collaboration between the two states in the field of defence industry.

This meeting follows the dialogue initiated during the Black Sea Defence & Aerospace (BSDA) 2024 Exhibition, held last May, and reflects the two states' joint commitment to strengthening regional security and developing defence industrial relations.

Minister Angel Tîlvăr emphasized the importance of developing an effective defence and deterrence post on NATO's Eastern Flank, highlighting Romania's commitment to increasing its defence capabilities. In this context, the Romanian official welcomed the support provided by Türkiye in the field of regional security, including through the conduct of enhanced Air Policing Missions by the Turkish Air Force in Romania's airspace between December 2023 and March 2024. The importance of rendering MCM Black Sea Task Force operational, a strategic approach aimed at improving defence capabilities in the Black Sea region, was also highlighted.

Romania and Türkiye have made significant progress in the field of defence industry. Minister Angel Tîlvăr pointed out the recent acquisition of strategic equipment, including the Bayraktar TB2 systems and the collaboration with the Turkish land systems manufacturer Otokar, which won the competition for the Light Armored Tactical Vehicle Procurement Program. This program includes an essential industrial component, since some of these vehicles will be produced in Romania.

"In the context of significant changes taking place in the global defence equipment market, it is imperative to streamline activities in the field of industrial cooperation. Through joint initiatives, Romania and the Republic of Türkiye can become more competitive actors in a complex and constantly changing security environment", the Romanian official emphasized.

On this occasion, Minister Tîlvăr invited the defence industry companies in the Republic of Turkiye to participate in the Black Sea Defense & Aerospace (BSDA) 2026 International Exhibition, which will take place in Bucharest.

The Romanian official also visited the stands of Turkish companies within IDEX&NAVDEX 2025, namely ASFAT, a of military ship manufacturer, ASELSAN, the largest manufacturer of electronic defence equipment in Türkiye, and HAVELSAN, a leader in software solutions and advanced technologies for the defence system. The Turkish companies are encouraged to explore collaboration opportunities with the Romanian defence industry ones.

During the visit, the Romanian delegation held a series of meetings and visits to the stands of prestigious defence industry companies, especially those focused on naval production, such as Damen and Fincantieri, or those manufacturing high-tech electronic equipment used to equip military ships or other types of equipment applicable in this field, such as MBDA and other important companies, such as the American Company Sig Sauer or the stand of the SAMI Company, which represents Saudi Arabia’s defence industry. 

In the discussions held with the representatives of the companies acting in the shipbuilding industry, Minister Tîlvăr emphasized the special attention that the Ministry of National Defence pays, in 2025 and in the following period, to the procurement programs intended for the Naval Forces, both for the marine and river components. 

"Equipping the Romanian Naval Forces with modern ships and state-of-the-art equipment is a major priority for the Ministry of National Defence for the current year and for the next period. Consolidating the naval military presence at sea and on the river represents a major objective of the Ministry of National Defence, considering the current and future challenges in the regional security environment and the fact that this Service has an essential contribution to consolidating Romania's defence capabilities, as an ally along the Black Sea," said Angel Tîlvăr.

The Press Office