Turkey unveils mechanism to implement defense pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan will convene senior ministers, conduct joint exercises, and enhance defense industry cooperation under the military pact signed among the three countries last week, according to a statement from Turkey's Defense Ministry.

The three nations signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on August 7, which stipulates that an armed attack against any member will be considered an attack on all, similar to NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause.

During a regular press briefing in Ankara on Thursday, Turkey's Defense Ministry said the fundamental objective of the pact is to place defense and military relations on a more “institutionalized and sustainable” footing.

“Under the agreement, strategic political and military mechanisms are expected to be established with the participation of defense ministers, foreign ministers, and chiefs of general staff/commanders of armed forces, and coordination among the three countries will be carried out at the highest level,” the ministry said.

The ministry added that joint exercises involving land, naval, and air forces, as well as air defense and unmanned systems, are planned, in addition to deeper cooperation in the defense industry.

“The aim is to provide not only products and systems, but also co-development and co-production, technology cooperation, and sustainable maintenance and logistics support,” the ministry said, emphasizing that unmanned and autonomous systems, electronic warfare, and artificial intelligence capabilities will be prioritized.

Türkiye, which has NATO's second-largest military, has said the pact with Pakistan (which possesses nuclear weapons) and Saudi Arabia (a leading oil exporter) is open-ended, with Egypt as a potential candidate, and is not intended to replace any existing alliances.

The ministry also said Türkiye is participating in meetings in Jeddah aimed at establishing an international coalition to protect maritime navigation in the Red Sea.

On developments in the Middle East, ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk said lasting peace and stability in the region will only be achieved if Israel ends its occupation and attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.

He said Israel continues attacks that deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as reflected in United Nations reports.

“Israel's rejection of the 15-point Gaza Plan is another indication that it is pursuing a policy of regional expansion. On the other hand, despite the signed framework agreement, Israel similarly continues its attacks and military operations in southern Lebanon,” Akturk said, referring to the US-proposed plan.

“We once again emphasize that the international community needs to take a more resolute and stronger stance against Israel's actions, by adhering to international law and humanitarian values, in order to establish peace and stability in the region,” he said.