Türkiye Details Defence Pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

Darwin, August 14: Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan plan to establish various mechanisms involving senior ministers, conduct joint military exercises and deepen cooperation in the defence industry under a military pact signed by the three countries, Türkiye’s Defence Ministry said Thursday (August 13), according to Al Jazeera.

The three countries signed the “Makkah Joint Defence Pact” on August 7. The agreement states that an armed attack against any one member will be considered an attack against all three countries, in line with NATO’s principle of collective defence.

At its weekly press briefing in Ankara on Thursday, Türkiye’s Defence Ministry said the main objective of the agreement is to place the three countries’ defence and military relations on a more “institutionalised and sustainable” footing.

The ministry said the pact calls for the creation of strategic political and military mechanisms involving the defence and foreign ministers, as well as military chiefs or commanders of the armed forces. These mechanisms are intended to ensure coordination at the highest levels among the three countries.

The countries also plan to conduct joint military exercises involving their land, naval and air forces, as well as air defence and unmanned systems. The ministry said cooperation in the defence industry would also be further strengthened.

According to Türkiye’s Defence Ministry, the cooperation will go beyond the supply of weapons and military equipment. It will also include the joint development and production of military equipment and systems, technological cooperation, and the establishment of long-term maintenance and supply networks.

Particular emphasis will be placed on unmanned and autonomous systems, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence-based military capabilities.

Türkiye, which has NATO’s second-largest army, said the defence pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s leading oil exporters, remains open to the possibility of including additional countries in the future. Egypt is reportedly among the potential members under discussion.

Türkiye’s Defence Ministry also said it is participating in meetings in Jeddah aimed at forming an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, commenting on the situation in the Middle East, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, a spokesperson for the ministry, said lasting peace and stability in the region could only be achieved if Israel ends its occupation and attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.

He said Israel has continued its attacks on Gaza, further deepening the humanitarian crisis there, as reflected in various United Nations reports.

Aktürk said Israel’s rejection of a 15-point Gaza plan proposed by the United States provided another indication that the country was pursuing a policy of regional expansionism. He also said that despite the signing of a framework agreement, Israel has continued its attacks and military activities in southern Lebanon.

He called on the international community to take a stronger and firmer stance against Israel’s actions while upholding international law and humanitarian values. According to him, this would help pave the way for peace and stability in the region.

Source: Al Jazeera