Turkiye is reportedly at an advanced stage of discussions to join the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with talks expected to conclude successfully, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The SMDA treats an attack on either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia as an act of aggression against both nations, and Turkiye’s inclusion could create a significant new security alignment in the Middle East and beyond.
Bloomberg noted that Turkiye is considering the move amid concerns over U.S. reliability and increasingly aligned interests with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Pakistan and Turkiye have a long-standing military relationship, cooperating on numerous defence projects. Ankara currently supplies corvette warships to Pakistan’s Navy, upgrades F-16 fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force, and shares drone technology with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Turkiye is also exploring joint involvement in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet programme.
The SMDA was signed on September 17, 2025, during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also endorsing the pact.
Weeks later, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed that several other Arab and Muslim nations expressed interest in joining similar defence agreements with Pakistan. He suggested that an expanded pact could evolve into a new regional security alliance, likened to a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) for the region.
The push to expand the SMDA follows Pakistan’s decisive military success against India last year, when Pakistan downed multiple Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, and repelled missile and drone attacks.
In addition, Pakistan engaged in border clashes with Afghanistan in October, eliminating over 200 Taliban-affiliated militants while losing 23 soldiers. These recent conflicts underscore Pakistan’s strategic priorities and highlight the potential impact of including Turkiye in the regional defence framework.
If finalized, Turkiye’s entry would deepen military cooperation with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, strengthen regional security, and potentially shift the balance of power in South Asia and the Middle East.
