Beirut: Turkish defence firm Havelsan joined forces with Egypt’s Kader Factory for Developed Industries to produce unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) in Egypt, Havelsan said in a statement, in what analysts said was a sign of deepening ties between Ankara and Cairo.
Kader Factory, which is affiliated with the government-owned Arab Organisation for Industrialisation, will benefit from Turkish engineering expertise and licensing to jointly produce the UGVs in its facilities in Cairo, according to Havelsan.
“This cooperation represents not only a transfer of technology but also a sharing of expertise and strategic vision. We are proud to be co-producing advanced unmanned ground vehicles with our Egyptian partners. This partnership marks a significant step forward in strengthening the defence capabilities of both nations,” said Havelsan’s deputy general Şevket Ünal in the statement.
Turkish ambassador to Egypt, Salih Mutlu Şen added in the statement that “this cooperation is the first step toward a long-term strategic partnership between HAVELSAN and Kader.”
“It will be a specific design for that region [Egypt]. We will reflect our autonomous capabilities. They [Kader Factory] will also make a specific design for the conditions in the Middle East,” the Haveslan official added.
He expected the first UGV prototype to be ready for Egypt’s defence expo, EDEX, taking place in September 2025. Development of the prototype is set to begin in two weeks, according to the official.
