Erdogan: Military production a goal of new pact with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia

Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have formalized a trilateral defense pact, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighting the joint development and production of military equipment as a key objective. The agreement, signed in Mecca, aims to bolster collective deterrence, strengthen military and security cooperation, and combat terrorism through shared defense industry projects.

Erdogan emphasized the pact's role in advancing military and security ties and developing joint ventures in the defense sector. While the official joint statement from the three governments focused on collective deterrence against aggression and enhancing military cooperation, Erdogan's remarks point to a more specific focus on industrial collaboration.

This development aligns with Turkey's decade-long investment in its domestic arms industry. In recent years, Turkey has vigorously expanded its defense capabilities, engaging in joint projects with European nations. Its arms exports have doubled between the 2016-2020 and subsequent periods, positioning the country as the 11th largest global arms exporter with sales reaching $10.5 billion in 2025. This strategic push was also evident at the recent NATO summit in Ankara, where Turkey actively promoted itself as a defense supplier.

While Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are currently major clients for Turkish defense firms, Saudi Arabia, the world's third-largest arms importer, primarily sources its weaponry from the United States, France, and Spain. The new pact could reshape these dynamics, potentially increasing Turkey's influence in the Saudi defense market.

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The agreement, which is based on collective deterrence capacity, also contributes to advancing military and security cooperation and the fight against terrorism and to developing joint projects of the military industry.