Officials said South Korea has become a leading defense partner of Turkey. They cited Seoul's deployment of U.S.-origin platforms as well as capabilities in development and heavy production.

"South Korea has both the political interest and technical capabilities to become the leading partner of our defense industry," a Turkish defense source said.

"When two South Korean weapons manufacturers won key contracts in Turkey, they did not only grab deals their Western and other rivals had been chasing for several years, but also a strategic position that may pave the way for broader defense industry cooperation with a friendly country," Umit Enginsoy, who covers defense issues for the Turkish Daily News, said.

Officials said Turkey's partnership with South Korea could reduce Ankara's dependence on the United States. They said South Korean military platforms were cheaper than U.S. equipment, and Seoul's proposals included technology and coproduction packages.

South Korea entered the Turkish military market in 2001. At the time, Seoul won a nearly $1 billion deal for Turkey to manufacture the K-9 self-propelled artillery under license.

In June, the Seoul-based Korea Aerospace Industries. KAI signed a $500 million contract to supply 55 KT-1 air trainers to Ankara. KAI bested Brazil's Embraer, which offered the Super Tucano.

Ankara has also designated South Korea's XK-2 as the model for Turkey's indigenous MBT. Officials said Turkey and South Korea's Agency for Defense Development, developer of XK-2, have advanced in contract talks.

South Korea's Rotem has been selected to work on the Turkish development and production of up to 250 MBTs. Under the contract, Rotem would partner with MBT prime contractor Turkey's Otokar.

Officials said the South Korean partnership could be extended to additional projects over the next year. They said South Korean companies have submitted bids for a Turkish low-altitude air defense system as well as amphibious operation ships, or landing platform docks, for the Turkish Navy.