Overview
- Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, reports negotiations have advanced and an agreement is seen as likely, while officials in Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have not confirmed the talks.
- Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025 with a clause treating an attack on one as an attack on both.
- Analysts say adding Turkey would marry its defence industry and combat experience with Pakistan’s nuclear and missile capabilities and Saudi financial power, prompting comparisons to a so‑called “Muslim NATO.”
- Turkey’s expanding defence ties with Pakistan include corvette construction, F‑16 mid‑life upgrades and the reported supply of hundreds of drones and personnel during May 2025’s Operation Sindoor, with reports that Turkish operatives were killed.
- Observers contend a trilateral pact could complicate NATO relationships and recalibrate regional security, with India closely watching potential impacts, while details on terms, command structures and interoperability remain undisclosed.