Airbus inks deal with Turkey’s top defense body to strengthen industrial cooperation

ISTANBUL

Airbus signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Turkish Undersecreteriat for Defense Industries (SSM) on Jan. 25 to strengthen collaboration with Turkey and increase industrial partnership. 

The deal, which was signed by Airbus board member Thierry Baril and SSM head İsmail Demir in Istanbul, aims to significantly increase Airbus’ business partnerships and projects with local suppliers, according to a follow-up press release from the company.

In the framework of the deal, Airbus plans to purchase components worth over $2 billion from Turkish suppliers over the next two years.

Under the agreement, this figure will rise to $5 billion between 2020 and 2030, according to the release.

“We worked together with Airbus in many projects with success in the previous years. Our hope is to expand our collaboration and cooperation with Airbus in the upcoming period. As the SSM, we are ready to offer all support to give a boost to our country’s aviation sector,” Demir said at the ceremony.

Baril said that the industrial cooperation between Airbus and Turkey was one of the most successful examples of its kind.

Turkey has been a key part of Airbus’ supply chain over the last 20 years, being in partnerships in all Airbus flight programs, including its prestigious A350 XWB program.