Türkiye Confirms Talks on Possible Defense Pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that discussions have taken place regarding a potential defense arrangement involving Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, but clarified that no formal agreement has been concluded.

Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, Fidan emphasized the importance of broader regional cooperation and mutual trust. He noted that many regional challenges could be addressed if countries developed confidence in one another and strengthened coordination.

His remarks follow recent media reports, which suggested that Türkiye was seeking to join a defense alliance between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Ankara maintains close relations with both Riyadh and Islamabad and already enjoys strong defense cooperation with Pakistan. As part of this collaboration, Pakistan has recently received a new corvette from Türkiye built under the MILGEM naval program.