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HAVELSAN and Egypt’s Kader Factory Sign UGV Co-Production Agreement
On March 27, the Turkish defence technology company HAVELSAN has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Egypt’s Kader Advanced Industrial Factory for the joint production of new unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in Egypt.
The agreement, which aims to enhance the global presence of the Turkish defence industry, will see UGV systems developed with Turkish engineering being manufactured at Kader’s facilities in Egypt. HAVELSAN will provide technical support and licensing as part of the arrangement.
The signing ceremony was attended by Major General Dr. Amr Abdel Aziz, Chairman of the Board of Kader Factory, Şevket Ünal, Deputy General Manager of HAVELSAN, and Salih Mutlu Şen, Turkey’s Ambassador to Cairo.
HAVELSAN brings significant expertise in autonomous systems to this partnership, including: solutions for AI-powered decision-making systems, real-time data processing, swarm intelligence, mission management systems, and advanced sensor integrations.
These technological capabilities enable the development of versatile UGV systems capable of performing various missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, support, security, and border operations across different terrains and operational scenarios.
Lauding the agreement, Şevket Ünal, Deputy General Manager of HAVELSAN, stated:
“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.”
Turkey’s Ambassador to Cairo, Salih Mutlu Şen, highlighted the technological capacity and quality standards of Kader Factory, describing it as “a model production facility in Egypt.” He expressed confidence that this cooperation would serve as the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership between the two companies.
Notes and Comments
Havelsan has developed a range of UGVs, notably the Barkan-series and Kapgan-series.
However, according to Havelsan officials, the UGV to be produced in Egypt will not be a direct replica of the Barkan-series. Rather, the Kader UGV will leverage a unique design customized to meet the requirements of the Egyptian military and operational conditions in the Middle East. The agreement involves technology transfer, engineering expertise, and licensing support from the Turkish side.
Development of the Egypt-specific UGV prototype is expected to begin within two weeks, with plans to showcase the system at the Egypt defence Expo in December 2025.
Overall, this agreement exemplifies a broader trend in the Turkish defence industry’s approach to international partnerships, which involves engaging in original, customized projects with customers rather than simply exporting existing products.
This trend of engaging in original projects with customers serves multiple strategic objectives for Turkey, notably:
- Enhancing Turkey’s position as a flexible and accommodating defence partner
- Building deeper, long-term relationships with customer countries
- Opening doors for further collaboration in other defence sectors
- Supporting Turkey’s goal of becoming a major player in the global defence market
By 2024, Turkey’s defence exports exceeded $7 billion annually, reflecting the success of this approach. The country’s ability to offer customized solutions, coupled with its growing technological capabilities across various defence domains, has made it an attractive partner for nations seeking to modernize their military capabilities while also developing their domestic defence industries.
