Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have signed a landmark defence agreement that could reshape the security landscape across the Middle East and South Asia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on Friday.
Under the pact, an attack against any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all members.
The agreement comes amid heightened regional tensions and a prolonged US-Iran conflict. The war has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and increased security concerns across the Gulf.
For Saudi Arabia, the pact offers an additional security mechanism as Riyadh pursues its Vision 2030 development agenda.
A Broader Strategic Partnership
The agreement builds on the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025.
Türkiye’s inclusion expands the partnership by connecting major Muslim powers from South Asia, the Gulf and the NATO alliance.
Moreover, the three countries already maintain extensive defence cooperation. Pakistan has trained Saudi personnel for decades, while Ankara and Islamabad have strengthened military and defence-industrial ties.
Türkiye has also expanded defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia through major agreements involving advanced military technology.
The new pact could encourage joint exercises, intelligence sharing and greater military interoperability.
Furthermore, the framework may eventually support cooperation beyond defence. Potential areas include energy security, reconstruction, investment and diplomatic coordination.
However, the agreement’s collective-defence clause remains untested. Its practical impact will depend on how Ankara, Riyadh and Islamabad respond if one member faces a direct attack.
Nevertheless, the pact demonstrates their growing willingness to establish a formal regional security framework.
