Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed a defense cooperation agreement in Doha on Wednesday, October 21, aimed at strengthening their military capabilities and expanding collaboration on training, research and defense industry development, Turkey’s Defense Ministry said.
The announcement came as Turkey also moved closer to a formal military commitment to Saudi Arabia under a separate agreement signed with Pakistan, with Ankara preparing to seek parliamentary authorization for the deployment of military personnel to the kingdom.
The four-country accord is intended to strengthen defensive capabilities and support cooperation in military exercises, training, research and development. It also aims to advance joint efforts to improve the participating countries’ defense industries, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry.
Turkey Moves Toward Military Deployment to Saudi Arabia
Turkey plans to submit a mandate to parliament allowing military personnel to be deployed to Saudi Arabia under its joint defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a lawmaker from Turkey’s ruling AK Party told Reuters on Wednesday.
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The lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the mandate would be submitted once parliament approves legislation ratifying the agreement.
Turkey submitted the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan in August, to parliament for ratification on Tuesday, Reuters reported. The agreement would bring NATO’s second-largest army closer to a formal mutual defense commitment with Riyadh as Saudi Arabia faces Houthi attacks.
The AK Party lawmaker said Turkish personnel deployed under the pact would not participate in offensive operations. Initial deployments would instead involve technical personnel and experts providing assistance with air defenses, electronic warfare technologies and other defensive capabilities.
Two officials previously told Reuters that Turkey’s contribution was expected to be limited to military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems. They said no other form of deployment had taken place under the alliance at that point.
Turkey has condemned Houthi attacks and agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition aimed at ensuring safe navigation in the Red Sea.