Turkish defence firms showcase weapons in Mali as military ties deepen

Описание: (11 Nov 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bamako, Mali - 11 November 2025
1. Armoured vehicle in front of the the Bamex'25 Turkish defence expo
2. Various Malian soldiers at the expo
3. Turkish military officers at the expo
4. Burkina Defence Minister Celestin Simpore
5. Turkish defence firm representatives speaking to Malian customers
6. SOUNDBITE (French) Sabri Guler, export specialist, Hedef Defence:
"The government and foreign delegations are much more interested in assault rifles and pistols, because they provide coverage and are much more important for border surveillance and protection."
7. Turkish defence firm representatives speak with Malian customers
8. Assault rifles
9. Crowd at the expo
10. Assault rifles
11. Ammunition
12. SOUNDBITE (French) Sadio Camara, Malian Defence Minister:
“We have learned to better defend our interests, to be less dependent on those who want to impose their will on us, and to work with those who are willing to respect us. This is what guides strategic cooperation between Mali and Turkey.”
13. Various Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga at the expo
14. SOUNDBITE (Bambara) Abdoulaye Maiga, Prime Minister of Mali:
“It is good that the world comes to see the expertise of the AES in the manufacture of weapons and the fight against insecurity.”
15. Malian Defence Minister Sadio Camara (in yellow scarf) and Burkina Defence Minister Celestin Simpore (in red beret)
16. Malian soldier looking at weapon
17. Malian soldiers and security forces at the expo
18. Defence firm representative showing a weapon
19. Malian soldiers looking at assault rifle
STORYLINE:
Turkish defence firms exhibited at a four-day defence exposition in Bamako on Tuesday, as Mali and Turkey strengthened their military ties.

The Bamako Expo, promoted as Bamex’25, saw Turkish defence firms show off assault rifles, surveillance drones and ammunition at the Bamako Exhibitions Park.

Sabri Guler, an export specialist for Hedef Defence, said the firm had met with clients both from the Malian military and from private security firms.

"The government and foreign delegations are much more interested in assault rifles and pistols, because they provide coverage and are much more important for border surveillance and protection,” he said.

Malian Defence Minister Sadio Camara addressed the crowd at the exhibition, accusing “external powers” of supporting the terrorism that has plagued Mali for the past fifteen years, a thinly veiled reference to the Western countries which the junta has repeatedly blamed for fuelling the insurgency.

“We have learned to better defend our interests, to be less dependent on those who want to impose their will on us, and to work with those who are willing to respect us. This is what guides strategic cooperation between Mali and Turkey,” he said.

The remaining days of the expo will include demonstrations of military equipment.

Mali, along with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, has battled an insurgency by armed groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group as well as local rebels.

Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, Mali expelled French forces, and turned to military partners like Russia and Turkey.

Mali has relied on Turkey for equipment like drones which it has used against both armed separatists as well as fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

Mali has also received military equipment from Russia and support from Russia’s mercenary units for security assistance, which analysts say has made little difference.




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