Türkiye Moves to Ratify 10-Year Defence Pact With Pakistan, Saudi Arabia

Türkiye has submitted its joint defence agreement with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to parliament for ratification, advancing a three-country security framework built around collective assistance against external aggression. The parliamentary process represents a significant step toward formally implementing the alliance from Ankara’s side.

The Makkah Joint Defence Alliance was signed by the three countries in August. Its central commitment treats an armed attack against any member as an attack against all three, requiring the partners to assist the affected country while respecting their available military capabilities and national procedures.

The agreement allows the members to determine the form and extent of assistance after assessing the nature of the threat and the needs of the country under attack. Potential cooperation covers defence equipment, intelligence sharing, logistical support, military training, advanced technology and coordinated action against terrorism.

The pact establishes an initial commitment lasting at least 10 years from the date it enters into force. None of the participating countries may withdraw during that period. After the first decade, a member seeking to leave would have to provide the other partners with at least three months’ written notice through diplomatic channels.

The framework also contains safeguards for classified information exchanged among the three governments. Protected documents and intelligence cannot be transferred to another state, company or individual outside the alliance, while confidentiality obligations would remain effective even if a member later withdrew from the arrangement.

Türkiye’s presidential communications director described the parliamentary submission as an important move toward institutionalising strategic cooperation. He said the partnership was intended to strengthen collective deterrence, improve joint defence capabilities and contribute to regional security and stability.

A Turkish official indicated that Ankara’s expected contribution would initially focus on military equipment, intelligence and weapons systems. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has also characterised the arrangement as defensive rather than offensive, stressing that participation in the alliance does not independently authorise overseas combat deployments. Türkiye’s constitution requires separate parliamentary approval before troops can be deployed abroad.

The agreement has gained greater strategic significance amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthis against Saudi Arabia and growing concerns about the security of regional energy and shipping routes. Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia recently agreed to improve their readiness for the rapid deployment of defensive capabilities, although the nature of any assistance would depend on the circumstances and decisions of the participating governments.

For Pakistan, the alliance expands longstanding military relationships with both countries into a more structured collective-defence framework. It could deepen intelligence, technology and defence-industry cooperation, but it may also require Islamabad to carefully manage its regional relationships and distinguish defensive commitments from participation in wider conflicts.

Türkiye’s parliament speaker is expected to refer the agreement to the Foreign Affairs Committee, which could begin its review as early as Friday. Parliamentary ratification remains necessary before Ankara can formally approve the pact, making the committee’s deliberations the next major step in the alliance’s implementation.