IN a significant development, Turkiye is reportedly seeking entry into a mutual defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, potentially paving the way for a new security alignment that could shift balance of power in the Middle East and beyond. According to Bloomberg, an expanded alliance would make sense because Turkiye’s interests increasingly overlap with those of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in South Asia, the Middle East and even Africa. Meanwhile, a Reuters report says Pakistan is in the final phases of striking a $1.5 billion deal to supply weapons and jets to Sudan. The deal encompasses 10 Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft, more than 200 drones for scouting and kamikaze attacks, and advanced air defence systems.
The two developments speak volumes about Pakistan’s growing strategic relevance and its expanding defence production industry, which has made a mark in the world because of quality of products, technological advantages and price competitiveness. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia already have strong defence cooperation and inclusion of Turkiye in a defence arrangement that views attack on one country, an attack on the other will surely give boost to efforts of three countries to advance the cause of their security and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. The new alliance, with possibility for inclusion of more countries, might serve as deterrence against forces of instability and threat to progress and prosperity of their areas of interest. The emerging geo-strategic landscape also raises the prospects for joint production of modern equipment to cater for their defence needs and those of other countries. Already, Pakistan’s defence cooperation with Turkiye remains a key pillar of bilateral relations. According to the 2023 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, Turkiye is Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier, accounting for 11pc of its total arms imports. The defence partnership has grown significantly, with joint projects such as the Milgem warships, aircraft modernisation and drone acquisitions deepening military collaboration. The alliance, if materialised, will also ensure the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations of Saudi Arabia and Turkiye and this could be helpful in realising cherished goal of unity of the Ummah and strengthening OIC platform.
The reported deal with Sudan includes Karakoram-8 jets, Super Mushshak training aircraft and perhaps some coveted JF-17 fighters developed jointly with China and produced in Pakistan. The deal becomes understandable as it could help Sudan’s army regain the air supremacy it had towards the start of its war with the RSF, which has increasingly used drones to gain territory, eroding army’s position. Reuters has reported that Islamabad is in talks with Riyadh for a defence deal that could be worth $2b to $4b. The report rightly describes the deal as another feather in Pakistan’s growing defence sector that has drawn enhanced interest and investment, particularly since its jets were deployed in a conflict with India last year. Only recently, Pakistan struck a weapons deal worth more than $4b with the Libyan National Army, stated to be one of the largest arms sales, which includes JF-17 fighter jets and training aircraft. Pakistan has also held talks with Bangladesh on a defence deal that could include Super Mushshak training jets and JF-17s, as ties improve with Dhaka.
All these augur well for emergence of Pakistan as an important supplier of quality defence equipment with positive impact for economy of the country. However, much depends on capacity of defence production sector and ability of the country to deliver supplies as per contractual schedule. Successful materialisation of all the deals will surely augment efforts aimed at getting rid of crippling reliance on the IMF, as has also been anticipated by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
