Kenya and Turkey have established a defense cooperation pact to enhance security, emphasizing the strengthening of military ties between the two countries.
The agreement was signed on May 6 during the SAHA Istanbul Defence, Aviation and Aerospace Cluster Association event in Istanbul.
Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and Turkey’s National Defense Minister Yasar Guler formalized the agreement, which arrives as Arab nations seek new alignments to lessen reliance on the United States following tensions involving Iran.
The agreement reportedly includes capacity development, training programs, and knowledge sharing in defense technology, thus decreasing dependence on conventional Western allies.
The SAHA 2026 exhibition, taking place from May 5 to May 9, 2026, ranks among the largest industry events in Europe.
Over 1,700 companies and delegations from more than 120 countries, including Kenya, are participating in the event.
Kenya and Turkey have sustained diplomatic relations for many years, resulting in prior defense agreements. For example, Kenya acquired 118 Hizir mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) from Turkey in January 2021.
Furthermore, Kenya obtained Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), becoming one of several African nations to procure Turkish drone technology in late 2024.
The recent agreement follows similar developments with Ethiopia amid rising global temperatures.
The partnership also reflects that both countries have connections to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), with Turkey being a full member and Kenya establishing
The agreement coincides with Turkey’s plans to invest USD11 billion, approximately Ksh130 billion, in defense and aerospace exports by 2028.
Through this initiative, Turkey also seeks to become one of the top 10 global defense exporters, following its 2025 record of military exports surpassing USD10 billion, approximately Ksh129 billion.