Türkiye is pushing to join a mutual defence agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a move that could significantly alter security dynamics across the Middle East and South Asia, according to Bloomberg.
Türkiye is seeking entry into the defence pact signed last September between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. The discussions have reached an advanced stage, and a deal is considered very likely, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The agreement states that any aggression against one member would be treated as an attack on all, closely mirroring NATO’s Article 5, of which Türkiye is a member.
Background of Saudi–Pakistan defence deal
The original pact was signed in Riyadh last September by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It formalised a long-standing security relationship and elevated it into a strategic mutual defence framework.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have historically shared deep military, economic and religious ties, with Riyadh providing financial aid and energy supplies to Islamabad over decades.
Why Türkiye wants in
According to Bloomberg, Türkiye’s interests increasingly overlap with those of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan across South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Ankara also views the pact as a way to strengthen deterrence amid growing doubts about US reliability and NATO cohesion under US President Donald Trump.
Analysts say the trilateral bloc would combine distinct capabilities. Saudi Arabia would contribute financial power and political influence as the Arab world’s only G-20 economy and custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites.
Pakistan would add nuclear capability, ballistic missiles and large manpower, remaining the only nuclear-armed country in the Muslim world. Türkiye would bring modern defence manufacturing, combat experience and NATO’s second-largest standing army.
Expanding defence cooperation
Türkiye already maintains deep military ties with Pakistan, including building corvette warships for the Pakistan Navy and upgrading Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jets. Ankara also shares drone technology with both Islamabad and Riyadh.
Bloomberg reported that Türkiye wants Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to join its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet programme, underlining ambitions for joint high-end defence production.
The growing alignment is also reflected in arms trade. Reuters recently reported that Pakistan is close to finalising a $1.5 billion arms deal with Sudan’s army, which is backed by both Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in its conflict with the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces.
The reported package includes Karakorum-8 light-attack aircraft, hundreds of drones, advanced air-defence systems and potentially JF-17 warplanes, according to retired Air Marshal Aamir Masood.
Shifting regional alliances
Saudi–Turkish relations were strained in the past, particularly after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported Arab Spring protests that Riyadh viewed as a threat. The two countries also backed opposing sides in Libya and differed sharply over Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
However, ties began improving around 2021, with both countries now converging strategically in Syria, Sudan and broader regional diplomacy.
Bloomberg noted that Saudi Arabia and Türkiye share long-standing concerns about Iran but prefer engagement over direct confrontation. They also support a stable Sunni-led government in Syria and back Palestinian statehood amid regional turmoil.
Both leaders have coordinated diplomatically, including lobbying Washington on sanctions relief for Syria’s leadership.
Impact of South Asian tensions
The trilateral defence talks come shortly after a ceasefire between Pakistan and India ended a four-day military clash between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May. Pakistan also faces renewed tensions with Afghanistan following border clashes and accusations involving militant groups.
Türkiye and Qatar previously attempted to mediate talks between Islamabad and Kabul, though those efforts failed to produce an agreement.
Türkiye’s Defence Ministry declined to comment on the reported talks. Pakistan’s Information Ministry did not respond to requests for comment, while Saudi authorities were not immediately available to Bloomberg.
Despite the silence, analysts say Türkiye’s inclusion would signal a new era of strategic alignment linking three of the most influential military powers in the Muslim world.
