Turkey in Advanced Talks to Join Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Defense Pact Amid Shifting Regional Alliances
Ankara, January 9, 2026 – Turkey is engaged in advanced discussions to join a defense pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a development that underscores evolving military alignments in the Middle East and South Asia, according to a recent report.
The Middle East Eye (MEE) reported on Friday that Turkey is actively lobbying to participate in the pact, signaling converging strategic interests among Ankara, Riyadh, and Islamabad. This move comes as regional powers seek to bolster defense cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the broader Middle East and concerns over security in the Red Sea and beyond. While details of the pact remain limited, it represents a potential trilateral framework aimed at enhancing military interoperability and joint defense capabilities.
The report highlights the backdrop of strengthening bilateral ties. For instance, Pakistan is reportedly on the cusp of a $1.5 billion weapons sale to the Sudanese army, illustrating Islamabad's expanding role in regional arms transfers. Additionally, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Riyadh on September 17, 2025, for high-level talks, as evidenced by official imagery from the Saudi Press Agency. These interactions underscore the momentum building toward formalized defense partnerships.
Details of the Discussions
According to MEE, Turkey's involvement marks a significant step in its outreach to Gulf states and longstanding allies like Pakistan. Turkish officials have not publicly confirmed the talks, but sources cited in the report describe them as "advanced," suggesting a deal could materialize in the near term. The pact's exact scope—whether it includes mutual defense clauses, joint exercises, intelligence sharing, or arms procurement—is unclear from available information.
This development aligns with Turkey's broader foreign policy under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which emphasizes strategic autonomy within NATO while forging ties with non-Western partners. Turkey, a key NATO member, has deepened defense exports and collaborations globally, including drone sales to Pakistan and reconciliation efforts with Saudi Arabia.
Historical Context and Bilateral Relations
Turkey's pursuit of this pact occurs against a backdrop of mended fences with Saudi Arabia. Relations hit a low in 2018 following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul's Saudi consulate, which Ankara blamed on Riyadh. However, ties warmed significantly after 2022, with Erdogan's visit to Saudi Arabia in 2023 and subsequent economic deals. By 2025, defense and investment pacts had proliferated, including Saudi purchases of Turkish drones and joint ventures in technology.
Pakistan and Turkey share deep historical, cultural, and military bonds, often described as "brotherly." The two nations have co-produced military hardware, such as the T129 ATAK helicopters, and conducted joint exercises. Pakistan's acquisition of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones has proven pivotal in its counterterrorism operations. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan maintain longstanding defense ties, dating back to the 1980s Afghan jihad era, with Riyadh providing billions in aid to Islamabad over decades.
These relationships gained renewed urgency amid regional flashpoints. The Israel-Hamas war since October 2023, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and Iran's nuclear ambitions have prompted Sunni-majority states to realign. Turkey, while critical of Israel, has positioned itself as a mediator and arms supplier, exporting over $1 billion in defense goods annually by 2025, per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) data.
Broader Geopolitical Implications
The potential inclusion of Turkey could reshape power dynamics in the Muslim world, creating a counterweight to Iran-backed groups and enhancing Gulf-South Asia security linkages. Analysts note that such pacts often start with non-binding memoranda before evolving into robust alliances, similar to the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, which Pakistan chairs and includes Turkish participation.
For Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030, diversifying defense partnerships reduces reliance on U.S. systems, especially after Washington's 2021 decision to end offensive support in Yemen. Pakistan benefits from Gulf funding amid its economic challenges, while Turkey gains market access and influence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
No official statements from the foreign ministries of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, or Pakistan were available at press time. However, the timing—mere months after the Saudi-Pakistani summit—suggests diplomatic momentum.
Outlook
If realized, the pact could lead to joint military drills, technology transfers, and coordinated responses to threats like maritime piracy or terrorism. It may also influence Turkey's balancing act between NATO obligations and Eastern partnerships, particularly as the alliance debates Turkey's role in Ukraine support.
As discussions progress, observers will watch for announcements from Ankara or Riyadh. This development highlights the fluid nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics, where old rivalries yield to pragmatic alliances in an era of multipolar competition.
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