Turkiye lays out ‘mechanisms’ of defence pact signed with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have formalized a military alliance through the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7. The agreement stipulates that an armed attack against any member country would be considered an attack on all signatories, akin to NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause. At a briefing in Ankara, Turkey's defense ministry outlined the pact's objectives, emphasizing the need to establish "more institutional and sustainable" defense and military ties.

Senior ministers from the three nations will convene, and joint exercises across land, naval, and air forces, as well as air defense and unmanned systems, are planned. Additionally, deeper cooperation in defense industries, including product and system supply, joint development and production, technology exchange, and sustainable maintenance and logistics support, is envisioned.

Unmanned and autonomous systems, electronic warfare, and artificial intelligence capabilities will also be prioritized. The Turkish defense ministry notes that the pact is open to expansion, with Egypt as a potential candidate, and does not aim to replace existing alliances. Turkiye, the second-largest army within NATO, is also participating in discussions in Jeddah to establish an international coalition for the protection of Red Sea shipping.