Türkiye eyes ‘joining’ Pakistan-Saudi defence agreement
Ankara also wants Riyadh and Islamabad to participate in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet programme
Turkey is seeking to join a defence alliance between nucelar-armed Pakistan and Saudi Arabia that treats an attack on one member as an attack on all, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday, quoting a Bloomberg report.
Ankara’s negotiations to become part of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) are progressing rapidly, with sources telling Bloomberg that a formal deal is imminent.
Turkey is seeking to join the defense alliance between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, according to people familiar with the matter, paving the way for a new security alignment that could shift the balance of power in the Middle East and beyond.
The deal, initially signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September, states that “any aggression” against one country is considered an attack on all. That mirrors Article 5 in NATO, of which Turkey is the largest military after the US.
Talks on Türkiye’s participation are at an advanced stage and a deal is considered likely, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The sources said Türkiye’s interests increasingly overlap with those of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia across South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Ankara also views the arrangement as a way to bolster security and deterrence amid questions over US reliability and President Donald Trump’s commitment to NATO, of which Türkiye is a member.
According to Nihat Ali Ozcan, a strategist at Ankara-based think tank TEPAV, Saudi Arabia would bring financial capacity, Pakistan nuclear capability, ballistic missiles and manpower, while Türkiye would contribute military experience and a developed defence industry.
Ozcan said shifting regional dynamics are prompting countries to seek new mechanisms to define security partnerships.
Türkiye’s Defence Ministry declined to comment. Pakistan’s Information Ministry did not respond to a request for comment, and Saudi authorities were not immediately available.
A Turkish decision to join the alliance would underscore a new phase in relations with Saudi Arabia after years of strained ties, as the two countries expand economic and defence cooperation.
They held their first-ever naval meeting in Ankara this week, according to the Turkish Defence Ministry.
The two also share concerns over Iran while favouring engagement, and support a stable Sunni-led state in Syria and Palestinian statehood.
Türkiye and Pakistan have long-standing military cooperation. Ankara is building corvette warships for Pakistan Navy, has upgraded dozens of F-16s, and shares drone technology with both countries.
Türkiye also wants Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to participate in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet programme, according to earlier reports.
The trilateral talks follow a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in May that ended a four-day military clash, and come amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after clashes linked to accusations over militant groups.
Türkiye and Qatar previously mediated talks that ended without agreement.
The landmark SMDA was signed on September 17, 2025, in Riyadh, during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirming their commitment to deepening regional security ties.
Following the signing, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar indicated that more countries are interested in formalizing similar defence agreements with Pakistan, suggesting a potential expansion of the pact akin to NATO or an Eastern NATO bloc.
This development comes in the wake of Pakistan’s military success against India last year, which saw Pakistan down multiple Indian fighter jets — including Rafale aircraft and intercept dozens of drones following India’s unprovoked missile strikes inside Pakistani territory. The conflict ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
Pakistan also engaged in border clashes with Afghanistan in October 2024, responding to attacks by Taliban and militant groups, resulting in over 200 militant casualties and the martyrdom of 23 Pakistani soldiers. The military conducted targeted operations inside Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Kabul regions to neutralize terrorist threats.