Turkey and Pakistan continue to increase bilateral military cooperation
Turkey is moving forward with
negotiations to assemble advanced combat drones in Pakistan, as Ankara’s
defense exports continue to surge and bilateral military cooperation deepens.
According to officials familiar with
the discussions, the proposal—under active review since October—would enable
Pakistan to assemble Turkish-made stealth and long-endurance unmanned aircraft
domestically. The plan aligns with Turkey’s broader strategy to expand its
fast-growing defense industry and distribute production across key partner
nations.
If approved, the facility would
boost Pakistan’s manufacturing capabilities and reinforce strategic defense
collaboration between the two countries, which already includes naval
shipbuilding and the modernization of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. Turkish officials
have also expressed interest in Pakistan joining the KAAN fifth-generation
fighter jet program.
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The talks come at a time when Turkey’s defense and aerospace exports have risen 30 percent from January to November compared with the previous year, surpassing all prior annual records. Haluk Görgün, head of the Presidency of the Defense Industry, described the sector’s performance as a historic milestone, driven by sustained investment in drone technologies, fighter development, and aerospace manufacturing.
Baykar, Turkey’s leading drone
manufacturer, now exports its systems to roughly 35 countries, with platforms
widely used in conflicts in Azerbaijan, Libya, and Ukraine.
For Pakistan, the potential
partnership offers improved surveillance and operational capability at a
sensitive regional moment. Islamabad recently reached a ceasefire with India
following a brief confrontation in May, while tensions with Afghanistan remain
elevated over cross-border militant activity.
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If finalized, the drone assembly agreement would represent a major step in expanding defense production ties, strengthening Turkey’s global ambitions and providing Pakistan access to advanced unmanned systems at a strategically critical time.
Source: https://aviationa2z.com/