News Analysis: Turkey upping military prowess in Gulf region

Turkey's military and defense industry agreement with Qatar has been officially approved, with details recently published in Turkey's Official Gazette.

The agreement seeks cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism, training of military personnel and organizing military drills as well as allowing the duo to send troops to each other's territories.

Within that context, Turkey is expected to send a brigade to Qatar.

According to the agreement, the two countries will also be able to use each other's ports, airports, airspace and facilities, camps, units and institutions for military purposes.

Military experts who spoke to Xinhua agreed that the latest agreement proves that Turkey is increasingly committed to its growing role in the Gulf region.

In 2009, Turkey signed two important military cooperation agreements with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia covering security of the region.

According to analysts, the 2009 agreement with Saudi Arabia was considered historic internationally as it constituted Riyadh's second military agreement after the one signed in 1944 with the United States.

"Turkey's latest move in Qatar is a sign indicating that the country's importance in the Gulf region is growing," Mehmet Seyfettin Erol, head of the Center for International Strategies and Security Studies (USGAM) told Xinhua.

He added that political circumstances drew Turkey into the region as a country that would secure peace and stability.

Saudi Arabia is considering building a wall against ISIS alongside its border with Iraq and another one against the Shiite Hutsi threat originating from Yemen.

"On the other hand, Qatar has issues with Iranian Shiites and regards Iran as a threat. It also has border problems with Saudi Arabia," said Mehmet Akif Okur, the analyst at the Ankara Strategy Institute.

He also remarked that due to regional high tensions and security gaps, even the U.S. has avoided guaranteeing security for the area.

According to analysts, Turkey, as a deterrent Sunni power, will assume a moderator role amid the conflicting regional issues.

Analysts also agreed that the newest agreement with Qatar has a multidimensional character which includes regional energy security.

There is an apparent threat in the energy field and regional countries intend to include Turkey into their security structure targeting increased comprehensive cooperation with Ankara, Okur argued.

"Energy security requires strong military presence. With Turkey's cooperation, Gulf countries will have the opportunity to extend their energy sources to the West via Turkey," Erol also added.

Analysts further agreed that the agreement is part of Turkey's growing efforts to promote its domestic products overseas, set up new liaison offices in several places in the world and improve its trade relations with other countries.

Turkey's projects have attracted considerable interest abroad, according to Turkey's Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz.

At a recent speech Yilmaz named Turkey's national infantry rifle, modern machine gun, Altay tank, and shelter-piercing bombs as especially popular internationally.

Yilmaz added that Turkey will participate in international arms fairs in Qatar, Berlin, Jordan, Chile, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Poland, Colombia, Azerbaijan and Pakistan to promote its products and projects in 2015.

Military experts agreed that "The Turkish defense industry has gained self-confidence. Its experience and success in Milgem provided Turkey with the courage to expand worldwide."

"Turkey has started seeking new markets particularly for its electronic and software systems as well as light arms and ammunition." Serdar Erdurmaz, a strategic analyst at the Gaziantep-based Hasan Kalyoncu University said. Endit