Daily Time
Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye and Indonesia signed the Badr defence cooperation agreement in Doha on Wednesday, paving the way for joint military production, technology transfer and research. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif represented Pakistan at the signing, which came barely a day after Türkiye submitted the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to its parliament for ratification. Ankara is also preparing legislation to allow the deployment of military personnel to Saudi Arabia under that pact. The back-to-back developments suggest that Pakistan’s expanding defence diplomacy is steadily acquiring an industrial dimension, even as the Middle East grapples with a worsening security crisis.
The two agreements serve different purposes. Makkah establishes a collective defence commitment, whereas Badr seeks to develop the industrial muscle needed to sustain modern military partnerships. The prolonged conflict involving Iran and the US has brought home the perils of excessive dependence on foreign suppliers. Even countries with deep pockets have found themselves at the mercy of disrupted supply chains. The four partners have much to bring to the table. Türkiye’s defence and aerospace exports reached $10.05 billion in 2025, an increase of 48 per cent over the previous year. Indonesia signed a contract last year for 48 Turkish KAAN fighter jets, with technology transfer forming part of the arrangement. Qatar has the financial muscle and established defence investments, while Pakistan brings considerable experience in aircraft manufacturing, armoured vehicles and naval engineering. There is plenty of common ground to work on, particularly in joint development and access to overseas markets.
Still, it cannot be denied how Pakistan can ill afford defence ventures that keep it tied to foreign suppliers for every major upgrade. Joint production could open doors for domestic engineering firms, generate skilled employment and earn much-needed foreign exchange. There is, however, many a slip between the cup and the lip.
Furthermore, the wider geopolitical implications should not be lost sight of either. Türkiye remains a NATO member, Qatar maintains close defence ties with Washington and Pakistan enjoys longstanding strategic cooperation with China. Their willingness to join hands suggests that countries with different strategic relationships can find common cause in strengthening their defence industries. Islamabad would do well to keep this diplomatic flexibility intact, especially while maintaining its engagement with Tehran and other regional capitals.
The government’s efforts to broaden Pakistan’s defence partnerships deserve recognition. Badr offers considerable promise, though much will depend on whether the four countries can agree on viable projects, financing and a fair division of industrial responsibilities. There is little point in signing one memorandum after another if Pakistani factories remain on the sidelines. *