Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan Explore Defense Cooperation

Foreign ministers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan held a meeting in Riyadh on Thursday, on the sidelines of an Islamic countries’ conference. During the discussion, they explored ways to combine their capabilities for the first time.

Turkey has been working over the past year to establish a defense cooperation framework with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with efforts also underway to include Egypt. The proposed initiative is not expected to resemble NATO-style mutual defense guarantees; instead, it aims to serve as a platform for collaboration in defense industries and broader security matters.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that countries in the region must find ways to unite their strengths to address common challenges. He emphasized the importance of regional ownership, urging nations to work together, generate new ideas, and solve their own problems rather than relying on external powers.

The meeting also addressed ongoing regional tensions, including conflicts involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, as well as retaliatory actions affecting Gulf countries. Officials discussed how joint efforts could help manage these challenges.

Participants highlighted the need for trust-building and cooperation on specific issues, aiming to develop shared positions where possible. Each country brings unique strengths to the table: Turkey’s advanced defense industry, Pakistan’s nuclear capability, Saudi Arabia’s technological growth, and Egypt’s significant military presence as the most populous Arab nation.

Earlier in February, Turkey and Egypt signed a bilateral military agreement during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Cairo. Additionally, a Turkish defense company reached a $350 million deal with Egypt to export ammunition and establish production facilities.