The Turkish government has expressed full willingness to cooperate with Mozambique in developing a national defense industry, proposing the sharing of technologies that have been successfully applied in combating terrorism and other threats such as piracy and illegal immigration.
The proposal was made by Haluk Görgün, Executive Secretary of Turkey’s Defense Industry, during the opening of the 1st Mozambique-Turkey Defense Industry Forum, held in Maputo.
According to Görgün, Turkey went through decades of challenges marked by terrorist threats along its borders and was only able to respond effectively after investing in its own production capacity, involving companies, armed forces, and civil authorities. The result of this effort was the development of proven defense equipment, such as Turkish drones, which today dominate over 60% of the global market.
“We worked directly with the military and the industry, applying what we learned in the field. And today we have solutions that we are ready to share with friendly and allied countries, like Mozambique,” said Görgün. He praised the commitment of Mozambique’s Minister of Defense, Cristóvão Chume, who visited Turkey in 2023 and signed a cooperation agreement with his Turkish counterpart, with technical exchanges already taking place this year.
The forum marks, in Görgün’s words, “an important step in building a long-term relationship,” based on mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, and joint development. Turkish companies present—such as Baykar, Havelsan, and Aselsan—came ready to showcase solutions for coastal surveillance, border control, unmanned systems, and communication equipment, with potential applications in the Mozambican context, especially given the country’s extensive coastline.
The Executive Secretary emphasized that Turkey’s engagement in Africa is not temporary but part of a strategic vision sustained over decades, with partnerships established with more than 30 African countries in the defense sector. Mozambique now joins this group.
“We are here to listen, understand, and build together. What unites us is a history of dignity, independence, and a shared vision for the future,” Görgün concluded.
The forum brings together more than 50 Turkish entrepreneurs, representatives of the Mozambican government, academics, and private sector entities, creating a platform for technical and institutional dialogue.
Organized under the Mozambique-Turkey bilateral partnership, the event aims to boost investment, promote technology transfer, and lay the groundwork for a future national defense industry.
Text: Felisberto Ruco
