Saudi Arabia and Turkish drone-maker firm Baykar have signed the largest defense contract in the Turkish history.

This comes in the wake of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Saudi Arabia as the two countries signed various deals on Monday in various sectors including the defense industry, energy, and communications.

Mideast Eye, leading online platform in the region, says the deal may pave way for technology transfer and joint production.

The news about the agreement was tweeted by company’s General Manager Haluk Bayraktar on Tuesday saying a contract for the company’s combat drone, Akinci, had been signed with the Saudi Defense Ministry.’

Deputy Saudi Military Minister Halid Bin Huseyin El Bayari and Bayraktar both signed the agreement, according to a statement from Baykar.

According to Baykar, Akinci will be added to the Saudi Army’s inventory.

Moreover, the company will offer the army technical, logistical, and instructional services.

In addition, they they will also collaborate on knowledge transfer and joint production.

He also shared that in the past Akinci had entered into four NATO and two EU member countries’ inventory so far.

What Akinci can do

Akinci is equipped with dual artificial intelligence avionics and can carry various payloads.

It is able to conduct operations just like fighter jets such as carrying electronic support systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar and synthetic aperture radar, the statement added.

Akinci can be used in air-to-air attack missions as well as air-to-ground missions.