One of Türkiye’s leading defense industry companies, Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş. (MKE), has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with ATS Group, one of North Macedonia’s major defense industry players. This agreement will further strengthen the cooperation between both companies in the defense industry and reinforce the strategic partnership between Türkiye and North Macedonia.
Technology Transfer and Production Modernization
The agreement includes technology transfer, modernization of production facilities, and joint investment projects between the two parties. MKE and ATS Group will take important steps to increase the defense industry production capacities of both countries. In particular, the plan to establish a new gunpowder factory will be one of the most important stages of this cooperation. The establishment of the gunpowder factory in North Macedonia aims to both increase regional production capacity and further deepen defense industry relations between the two countries.
Strategic Partnership Between Two Countries
This agreement stands out not only as a commercial cooperation but also as a step that will strengthen the strategic partnership between Turkey and North Macedonia. MKE aims to increase international defense industry cooperation and develop strong strategic partnerships with friendly countries. Such partnerships will play an important role not only in terms of economic growth but also in increasing regional security.
Signing Ceremony and Participants
The strategic cooperation agreement was signed in an important ceremony. Deputy Minister of National Defense Musa Heybet and MKE General Manager İlhami Keleş attended the ceremony on behalf of Turkey, while Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski, Minister of Defense Vlado Misajlovski and ATS Group General Manager Şefşet Demirovski attended from North Macedonia. During the ceremony, the parties expressed their belief that this cooperation would provide long-term and sustainable benefits. The signed agreement was noted as an important turning point in the defense industry between the two countries.
Future Steps and Contributions
MKE stated that this cooperation is not only a commercial step but will also contribute to Türkiye's international strategic goals in the defense industry. The agreement creates a strong foundation for new projects and investments by allowing both countries to share their knowledge and experience in the defense industry.
This strategic cooperation agreement between MKE and ATS Group is of great importance as it deepens the relations of not only the two companies but also Turkey and North Macedonia in the field of defense industry and strengthens regional security and production capacity.
