ANKARA: The Türkiye is seeking to expand its defence cooperation with Pakistan by pursuing a partnership in drone production and inviting Islamabad to join its fifth-generation fighter jet program.
In this regard, Turkish officials said Ankara has finalized plans to establish facilities in Pakistan for the manufacturing of advanced drones. The initiative is part of Turkey’s broader strategy to strengthen its global footprint in the defence sector and boost exports.
The negotiations between the two countries have progressed significantly since October. As a result of these talks, Turkey aims to export long-range, next-generation drones that will be produced in Pakistan under the new arrangement.
Furthermore, report noted that the ongoing dialogue aligns with Turkey’s efforts to expand its defence industry, a key component of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s strategy to enhance Ankara’s influence in the Middle East and other regions.
In this sense, Turkish defence products—including drones, warships, and armoured vehicles have gained increasing visibility in recent years as the country seeks new markets.
Meanwhile, Türkiye and Pakistan share longstanding defence ties, with cooperation spanning several major projects. Turkey is already building modern warships for the Pakistan Navy under a joint initiative. Ankara also previously assisted Islamabad in upgrading its F-16 fleet.
Now, Türkiye is looking to include Pakistan as a partner in its ambitious fifth-generation fighter jet program, known as “Kaan.” The officials mentioned that Turkey has been pursuing new defence export opportunities worldwide.
Ankara announced a deal to sell fighter aircraft to Indonesia. It also plans to expand defence exports to Saudi Arabia, as well as Syria, in line with its efforts to diversify partnerships.
However, Haluk Görgün, head of Türkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries, stated that Turkish defence exports have surged by 30 percent in the first 11 months of the current year, reaching a record $7.5 billion. The growing demand for Turkish defence technology indicates the country’s evolving role as a competitive player in the global arms market.
The potential collaboration with Pakistan, if finalized, would mark another vital step in Türkiye’s expanding defence diplomacy and could further strengthen strategic ties between the two longstanding partners.
