ISLAMABAD (MNN); Turkiye is reportedly pursuing inclusion in the mutual defence agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, a move that could lead to a new security alignment with potential implications for regional and global power dynamics, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh in September last year, committing that any attack on one country would be considered an attack on the other.
According to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, discussions involving Turkiye have reached an advanced stage and the likelihood of a deal is high.
The report said an expanded alliance appears logical as Turkiye’s strategic interests increasingly overlap with those of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia across South Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa.
Turkiye also views the proposed arrangement as a means to bolster security and deterrence at a time when questions are being raised about the reliability of the United States and President Donald Trump’s commitment to Nato, despite Washington’s strong military ties with all three countries.
Bloomberg quoted Nihat Ali Ozcan, a strategist at Ankara-based think tank TEPAV, as saying that Saudi Arabia’s financial strength, Pakistan’s nuclear capability, ballistic missile programme and manpower, and Turkiye’s military experience and advanced defence industry could form a complementary security bloc.
He noted that shifting regional dynamics, US policy priorities and the impact of ongoing conflicts were driving countries to seek new mechanisms to define alliances and security partnerships.
Turkiye’s defence ministry and Pakistan’s information ministry declined to comment, while Saudi authorities were not immediately available to respond to Bloomberg’s queries.
New phase in ties
The report said Turkiye’s possible entry into the pact would mark a new phase in Ankara–Riyadh relations, which have improved after years of strained ties.
According to Bloomberg, the two countries are expanding economic and defence cooperation and recently held their first-ever naval talks in Ankara.
The report also highlighted that both Saudi Arabia and Turkiye share concerns about Iran but favour engagement over direct confrontation.
On Pakistan, Bloomberg noted Turkiye’s role in building corvette warships for the Pakistan Navy and upgrading Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jets. It added that Turkiye is already sharing drone technology with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and has invited them to participate in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet programme.
The trilateral defence discussions are taking place following a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in May that ended a four-day military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The report also referred to Pakistan’s tensions with Afghanistan after border clashes and noted that Turkiye and Qatar had attempted, unsuccessfully, to mediate talks.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long enjoyed close strategic, economic and military relations, with Riyadh providing financial assistance and energy supplies to Islamabad.
Meanwhile, defence cooperation remains central to Pakistan–Turkiye ties. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s 2023 report, Turkiye is Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier, accounting for 11 per cent of its total arms imports. Joint defence projects, including naval vessels, aircraft upgrades and drone systems, have further strengthened bilateral military cooperation.
