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Turkey and Pakistan commit to strengthening defence ties

On the heels of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit to Pakistan, the Turkish Chief of General Staff (CGS) – General Hulusi Akar – and Pakistan Army Chief of Army Staff (COAS) – General Raheel Sharif – committed to enhancing bilateral defence and security ties.

In its official press release, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the Turkish CGS and Pakistan Army COAS met to discuss “matters of mutual interest” and potential areas of further bilateral defence collaboration and relations.

President Erdogan also agreed to President Mamnoon Hussain proposal of a formal long-term bilateral defence agreement, i.e. the “Framework Agreement for Defence Cooperation.”

Notes & Comments:

The Turkish defence industry will have a significant presence at the 2016 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), which will begin on Tuesday, 22 November. In fact, the IDEAS 2016 exhibitors list suggests that Turkey’s presence will be second only to China in terms of overseas suppliers.

Not only does Turkey see a market for its defence hardware and services in Pakistan, but considering the relative stability of Turkish-Pakistani defence ties, Pakistan itself appears to be receptive.

In June, the Pakistan Navy awarded the program to upgrade its three Agosta 90B submarines to Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. (STM). Aselsan is one of the subsystem vendors involved in the Agosta 90B upgrade program. STM is also in talks with Pakistan over the prospect of selling four surface warships based on the STM Ada-class corvette. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) had marketed the T-129 attack helicopter, Anka unmanned aerial vehicle, and Hürkuş trainer to Pakistan.

Besides viewing Pakistan as a market, Turkey has also taken steps to connect with the Pakistani defence industry. For example, the Turkish Ministry of Defence is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Pakistan Aeronautical Complex during IDEAS.

author avatar
Bilal Khan Founder
Founder of Quwa, Bilal has been researching Pakistani defence industry and security issues for over 15 years. His work has been cited by Pakistan's National Defence University (NDU), the Council of Foreign Relations, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Centre of Airpower Studies and many others. He has a Hons. B.A in Political Science and Masters of Interntional Public Policy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
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9 Comments

  • by Syed
    Posted November 18, 2016 2:51 pm 0Likes

    No Turkey has NATO nuclear umbrella,whatever that is worth

  • by nob hamid gul
    Posted November 18, 2016 4:59 pm 0Likes

    Pakistan and Turkey are cooperating in many fields like engines, aeronautical, electronic system and particularly in missile technology.

    I don’t think Turkey will ever test nuclear weapon. Turkey would be developing long range ballistic and cruise missile instead.

    However, given the current situation of middle east, the expansion of Israel, the rise of Islamic government in Turkey and the deteriorating relations of Turkey with Iran and USA, Turkey may host some of the Nuclear weapons of Pakistan for security and to provide nuclear umbrealla to Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Turkey with help of its influence in central asian and African countries may provide nuclear material to Pakistan for developing more and more nuclear bomb.

    Remember: Turkey and Pakistan will have unending(until the end of the world) strong brotherly relations.
    Relations may somewhat change due to the change of Regime in Turkey but eventually both the countries will be seen standing together.

  • by jamshed_kharian_pak
    Posted November 19, 2016 8:24 am 0Likes

    Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Republic of Turkey are Sister/Brothers Countries all agreements are welcome

  • by DB100-SM2
    Posted November 20, 2016 7:00 am 0Likes

    In a few months time Turkey will be abandoning NATO and its EU Candidacy. In fact, Turkey is also mulling withdrawal from the United Nations!

  • by DB100-SM2
    Posted November 20, 2016 7:01 am 0Likes

    The day Turkey abandons the EU is the day Turkey will seek its own nuclear umbrella. The Turkish establishment no longer trusts European states.

  • by Emre Aydoğdu
    Posted November 20, 2016 10:07 am 0Likes

    Are you expert? Very less person could see reals like you. Turkey is under huge attacks. All of them is puppet. They want to destroy Islam. However we have great brothers like Pakistan.

    In Pakistan, Erdoğan said that we will never forget helps of Pakistani people. We aren’t like others. We have a great brotherhood. We have to be union. Turkey will help Pakistan more. We are ready to do everything for Keshmir. Turkey will take Keshmir violence to United Nations soon. Pakistan zindabad!

    Alhamdulillah for these great days. My Allah help us. Inshallah we will be union

  • by nob hamid gul
    Posted November 21, 2016 5:51 am 0Likes

    We are waiting for the Turkey to rise again.
    Waiting to see Islamic Turkey. Sharia as the Constitution of Turkey.

  • by Emre Aydoğdu
    Posted November 21, 2016 9:44 am 0Likes

    Help us! All foes are against us. We need your help and pray. Turkey is with you.
    Turkey wants to be protecter of Pakistan. Turkish goverment cares for Keshmir. You aren’t alone.

  • by T-123456
    Posted November 24, 2016 2:28 pm 0Likes

    Turkiye will never have Sharia as the Constitution,we are a secular state and will stay that way.We have only one real ally and that is Pakistan therefore its is imperative to deepen the relationship.

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