Ankara’s negotiations to become part of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) are progressing rapidly, with sources telling Bloomberg that a formal deal is imminent.
The SMDA, signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, designates an attack on one as an act of aggression against both nations. If Turkey joins, it could mark the beginning of a new regional security alliance that might significantly influence the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and surrounding regions.
According to Bloomberg, Turkey’s potential inclusion comes amid growing doubts about U.S. reliability and a convergence of strategic interests with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Pakistan and Turkey have a long-standing military partnership, including cooperation on various defense initiatives. Ankara supplies Pakistan’s navy with corvette warships and has upgraded several F-16 fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force. Additionally, Turkey shares drone technology with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and seeks to involve these countries in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet program.
The landmark SMDA was signed on September 17, 2025, in Riyadh, during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirming their commitment to deepening regional security ties.
Following the signing, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar indicated that more countries are interested in formalizing similar defense agreements with Pakistan, suggesting a potential expansion of the pact akin to NATO or an Eastern NATO bloc.
This development comes in the wake of Pakistan’s military success against India last year, which saw Pakistan down multiple Indian fighter jets—including Rafale aircraft and intercept dozens of drones following India’s unprovoked missile strikes inside Pakistani territory. The conflict ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
Pakistan also engaged in border clashes with Afghanistan in October 2024, responding to attacks by Taliban and militant groups, resulting in over 200 militant casualties and the martyrdom of 23 Pakistani soldiers. The military conducted targeted operations inside Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Kabul regions to neutralize terrorist threats.
