Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir on Friday held a high-level meeting with General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Chief of the Turkish General Staff, at the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, amid escalating tensions across the Middle East and growing uncertainty in the Gulf region.
The meeting comes at a time when the Middle East is witnessing heightened instability, with fears of a potential US strike on Iran, deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and renewed regional security concerns. According to Arab News, the two military leaders discussed strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, regional security dynamics, and evolving geopolitical challenges.
Focus on Defence Cooperation and Regional Security
In an official statement, Pakistan’s military media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the talks covered matters of mutual interest, regional challenges, and enhanced military-to-military cooperation. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the current trajectory of Pakistan–Turkey relations and emphasized the need to maintain close coordination and further expand defence collaboration.
Field Marshal Munir welcomed Turkey’s continued support for Pakistan’s armed forces and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening institutional military ties with Ankara.
Turkey and the Emerging Islamic Military Alignment
The meeting has gained strategic significance amid reports suggesting Turkey’s possible inclusion in a Pakistan–Saudi Arabia military framework. While Turkey has not formally joined the alliance so far, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had earlier stated that Ankara was in talks to become part of the defence arrangement established between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September last year.
Although Turkey has signaled caution, analysts note that shifting regional equations could open the door for deeper strategic alignment among key Muslim-majority nations.
Expanding Military and Defence Industrial Ties
Pakistan and Turkey share longstanding ideological, diplomatic, and military ties, often described as being bound by shared historical and cultural affinities. In recent years, cooperation has expanded beyond joint exercises to include defence production and technology transfer.
Turkey has shown keen interest in establishing aerospace and defence manufacturing facilities in Pakistan, with senior Turkish delegations recently visiting Islamabad to explore co-production opportunities. The two navies also conducted a bilateral amphibious exercise in August 2025 to enhance maritime interoperability.
Turkey’s Military Support to Pakistan
Turkish defence firms have played a crucial role in the modernization of Pakistan’s Agosta-90B class submarines. Ankara has also supplied Pakistan with advanced military hardware, including armed drones, significantly enhancing Islamabad’s operational capabilities.
During India’s Operation Sindoor, Turkey reportedly provided Pakistan with drone systems and other defence equipment. Both nations regularly conduct joint drills, most recently the Ataturk-XIII Special Forces Exercise in February 2025, aimed at improving combat readiness and battlefield coordination.
Strategic Signals Amid Regional Volatility
The latest engagement between the military leaderships of Pakistan and Turkey sends a clear strategic signal at a time when the Middle East and South Asia are experiencing heightened volatility. While no formal alliance was announced, the meeting underscores deepening defence convergence and a shared intent to navigate emerging regional challenges through closer military cooperation.
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