Rabat – Turkey has revealed new details regarding its defense pact signed last week with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, outlining plans for political and military coordination, joint exercises, and deeper defense industry cooperation.
According to Turkey’s Defense Ministry, the three nations will establish strategic political and military mechanisms involving foreign ministers, defense ministers, and senior commanders to ensure coordination at the highest levels under the pact.
By formalizing these channels, the ministry stated, the agreement seeks to place defense ties between Ankara, Riyadh, and Islamabad on a “more institutional and sustainable” foundation.
The agreement calls for joint military exercises across land, sea, and air, alongside expanded cooperation in air defense and unmanned aerial systems.
Expanding defense cooperation
Beyond joint exercises, the pact will deepen defense-industry cooperation through joint production, technology development, maintenance, and logistics. According to Turkey’s Defense Ministry, priority focus areas include artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and autonomous systems.
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed on August 7, commits the three nations to treat an armed attack against one member as an attack on all. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan likened the mutual defense guarantee to NATO’s Article 5.
Addressing regional concerns, Fidan emphasized that the pact is not directed against Iran or any other country. In the event of an attack, he said, member states would consult to determine the scale and form of support.
Alliance could expand
Turkey indicated the alliance could expand with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s support, naming Egypt as a potential future member once remaining technical issues are resolved.
Fidan previously noted the alliance would create a ministerial committee similar to NATO structures, as well as a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia. However, he stressed the new pact is not meant to replace Turkey’s current alliances.
Amid growing maritime security concerns, regional countries are meeting in Jeddah to form an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping; meanwhile, Turkey’s Defense Ministry confirmed that Ankara is participating in the talks.
