Karel seeks strategic Saudi partnership at World Defense Show 2026
2026-02-09 - 10:05
Turkish defense technology company Karel is showcasing its latest tactical communication systems at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The firm is positioning itself as a strategic, long-term partner for Saudi Arabia's defense industry, emphasizing technology transfer and local capacity building in line with the kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. Focus on integrated tactical communications Karel's display centers on integrated solutions for modern armed forces, including its COM-BAT 5G private mobile network and MOBAT operational headset. These systems are designed to provide secure, high-speed data, voice, and video links across all military echelons, from command centers to individual soldiers and vehicle platforms. The company leverages four decades of experience from Türkiye's domestic defense ecosystem in developing these technologies. A partnership model beyond product sales Company officials stress that their goal in the Saudi market is to move beyond simple exports. "Our goal is to position ourselves as a long-term, sustainable technology solutions partner that supports localization in Saudi Arabia," said Yavuz Bayiz, President of Karel Defense Technologies. He highlighted that Karel offers expertise across the entire technology lifecycle, from design and development to local production and field support, aiming to contribute directly to Saudi Arabia's indigenous defense capabilities. Strategic alignment with Vision 2030 The participation in the Riyadh defense exhibition underscores a strategic push by Turkish defense firms to deepen industrial ties with Gulf nations. Karel's approach directly aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objective of developing a robust, localized defense industry. The company's suite of products, designed for demanding environments like the Middle East, is presented as part of a collaborative model intended to foster technological co-development and strengthen regional security partnerships.