Ankara: The Trkiye-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact aims to boost joint military capabilities and does not identify any country as a common enemy or adversary, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence said on Thursday.
According to TRTworld.com, spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, speaking at the ministry's weekly press briefing, emphasized the Turkish Armed Forces' commitment to promoting regional and global peace through bilateral cooperation, regional initiatives, and multinational missions. Akturk highlighted the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, as a key component in institutionalizing and sustaining the friendly relations among the three nations in defence and security matters.
The agreement's primary objectives include enhancing regional security and stability, fostering military cooperation, and strengthening the ability of Trkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia to act jointly in potential crises. Akturk clarified that the agreement is defensive and does not target any nation as an adversary.
Akturk outlined plans for establishing strategic political and military mechanisms among defence ministers, foreign ministers, chiefs of general staff, and armed forces commanders to ensure high-level coordination. The agreement envisions gradually developing military cooperation, starting with command-post and field exercises and advancing to joint exercises involving land, naval, air, air defence, and unmanned systems.
Zeki Akturk also emphasized the importance of joint technological cooperation to identify needs and incorporate lessons learned into doctrine, training, and planning. Defence industry cooperation, including joint development and production of technologies such as unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and AI-supported capabilities, is a critical element of the pact.
He stated that the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement complements the international security architecture, contributing to regional security and stability without serving as an alternative or rival to NATO. Akturk noted the potential for expanding the mechanism to include other countries, aiming to establish an effective institutional mechanism for peacetime and potential crises.
Akturk concluded by expressing confidence that the cooperation would significantly contribute to the security of the involved countries and regional peace, stability, and deterrence.