ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have advanced significantlytoward formalizing a trilateral defense agreement, with a draft now underreview by the three governments following nearly a year of intensivenegotiations. This development, confirmed by Pakistan’s Minister forDefence Production Raza Hayat Harraj, represents a potential milestone increating an autonomous regional security framework that operates beyondtraditional Western alliances. The proposed pact, separate from theexisting bilateral Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan andSaudi Arabia signed in September 2025, aims to foster collective responsesto shared threats including terrorism, instability and externalinterventions. As regional volatilities persist, this axis could redefinepower dynamics across the Middle East and South Asia.
The origins of these talks trace back to heightened concerns over globalpower shifts and perceived unreliability in established securityguarantees. Harraj revealed that the draft is “already in pipeline” afterten months of deliberation, with copies held by all three capitals awaitingfinal consensus. This initiative builds on longstanding defense ties,particularly between Pakistan and Turkey in arms production and jointexercises, as well as Saudi Arabia’s financial support for regionalstability efforts. Analysts observe that recent events, including flare-upsin the Middle East and lingering tensions in South Asia, have acceleratedthese discussions, pushing the nations toward greater self-reliance indefense matters.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has provided cautious confirmation ofongoing dialogues while stressing that no agreement has been signed yet. Ina press conference, Fidan highlighted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’svision for an inclusive regional security platform, emphasizing thenecessity of overcoming mutual distrust to prevent external hegemonies fromexploiting divisions. He argued that broader cooperation among regionalstates could effectively address root causes of terrorism and instability,creating a more stable environment free from outside dominance. Thisrhetoric aligns with Turkey’s evolving foreign policy, which seeksdiversified partnerships amid strained relations within NATO.
The strategic significance of this emerging axis lies in the complementarystrengths each nation brings to the table. Pakistan contributes nucleardeterrence, ballistic missile capabilities and a large standing army, whileSaudi Arabia offers substantial financial resources and influence overIslamic affairs. Turkey provides advanced defense industry expertise,including drone technology and military experience from various theaters.Together, these elements could form a robust collective defense mechanism,potentially resembling a NATO-like structure tailored to Muslim-majoritycontexts and independent of both U.S.-led and Sino-Russian orbits.
Such an arrangement addresses specific security anxieties faced by eachparticipant. For Pakistan, it strengthens deterrence against border threatsand enhances strategic depth in ongoing rivalries. Saudi Arabia views it asa counterbalance to regional adversaries and a means to diversify securitypartnerships beyond traditional Western suppliers. Turkey, facingchallenges in its NATO role and conflicts involving Kurdish groups, seeksexpanded alliances to bolster its geopolitical influence across multipleregions. The draft’s progression reflects a deliberate response to recentglobal developments, including uncertainties in U.S. commitments andevolving great power competitions.
If finalized, the pact could enable practical cooperation in joint armsproduction, intelligence sharing and contingency planning. This wouldchallenge existing regional networks and potentially alter balances inongoing conflicts from Yemen to Kashmir. Observers note that it introducesa new variable into international relations, possibly attracting interestfrom other Muslim nations seeking alternatives to polarized globalalignments. The decade-long maturation of similar ideas underscores thecareful, strategic approach adopted by these states.
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The implications extend to major powers, prompting reassessments ofexisting alliances. For the United States, which maintains treaty ties withPakistan and Turkey while counting Saudi Arabia as a key arms client, theemergence of this independent bloc could complicate bilateral relations ifpositions diverge on critical issues. Similarly, it may pressure Iran torecalibrate its own partnerships or pursue diplomatic engagements tomitigate isolation. Ultimately, this trilateral initiative signals abroader trend toward multipolarity, where regional actors forge autonomousframeworks to safeguard interests in an unpredictable world order.
Source:https://www.dawn.com/news/1967120/pakistan-saudi-turkiye-defence-deal-in-pipeline-defence-production-minister-confirms
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