Defence pact for Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia open to expansion

Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have signed a military pact aimed at bolstering defense ties and potentially expanding into a broader regional defense alliance. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, establishes a framework for senior ministers to meet, joint military exercises to be conducted, and deeper cooperation between the countries' defense industries.

The pact mirrors NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause, meaning an armed attack against any member would be considered an attack on all. The agreement establishes mechanisms for political and military coordination among the three nations, involving defense ministers, foreign ministers, and chiefs of general staff. Joint military exercises are planned, encompassing land, naval, and air forces, as well as air defense and unmanned systems.

Additionally, there is a focus on deepening defense industry cooperation, aiming for product and system supply, joint development and production, technology sharing, and sustainable maintenance and logistics support. Türkiye, the country with the second-largest army within NATO, has indicated that the pact could be expanded to include Egypt and other interested nations, but it does not intend to replace existing alliances.

The Turkish defense ministry also revealed that Türkiye is participating in discussions in Jeddah to establish an international coalition aimed at safeguarding Red Sea shipping.