Since Pakistan gained independence on August 14, 1947, the two countries relations have grown based on a strong friendship and sense of brotherhood. The relationship between Turkey and Pakistan will continue to deepen as we look into the future of those connections. Both nations have a long history of supporting one another and working together, which is based on diplomatic, cultural, economic, military, and Islamic relations. In international bodies like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations, Turkey has continuously backed Pakistan, particularly in the Kashmir conflict. Both nations denounce the cruelty and injustice experienced by Muslims worldwide, including those in Kashmir and Palestine. Additionally, Turkey backs Pakistan’s participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Turkey is looking to forge a military partnership with Pakistan for the co-production of combat jets and missiles. Pakistan has formally joined Turkish Aerospace’s (TA) fifth-generation Kaan fighter aircraft development, the Turkish government has declared. The participation of Pakistan in this project would be discussed between Ankara and Islamabad, the Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Celal Sami Tüfekçi announced on August 2, 2023 in Karachi. We will soon be having discussions with our Pakistani counterparts to formally integrate Pakistan into our national fighter jet program (Kaan), within this month, according to Tüfekçi. Almost 200 Pakistani engineers and officials were “already taking part in the development of this program,” he added.
A historic development will occur when the eagerly anticipated KAAN stealth aircraft takes to the sky for the first time. The cutting-edge technology and stealth characteristics of the futuristic aircraft are the result of cooperation between Turkey, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan. This ambitious partnership seeks to improve the strategic ties between the three nations while revolutionizing the aircraft industry. On December 27, the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)-produced stealth plane KAAN will take off for the first time, ostensibly propelled by artificial intelligence.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan both officially joined the initiative after the project received their strong backing, ushering in a new era of aviation cooperation. The partnership between Pakistan and Turkish Aerospace Industries has been enhanced by the signing of a contract between the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra and Turkish Aerospace Industries. As part of the partnership, some KAAN subsystems will be produced in Pakistan, leading to the development of a shared production line. The new approach not only reduces the overall cost burden but also speeds up production, guaranteeing the timely completion of the aircraft.
From the Turkish manufacturer Baykar, Pakistan has purchased Kemanke cruise missiles that can be launched from unmanned aerial vehicles. Three different Turkish UAV models are currently in operation in Pakistan. Representatives of the Pakistani company NESCOM and TAI signed a contract in August 2021 for the production of Turkish Anka unmanned aerial vehicles within Pakistan. With Pakistan’s 2021 purchase of Bayraktar TB2 drones, the new missile is intended for usage. The Pakistan Air Force is also equipped with the Aknc and Anka UAVs Bayraktar AKINCI, Bayraktar TB2, and Bayraktar TB3 UAVs are all capable of launching. The Kemankecruise missile has artificial intelligence built into it, allowing it to find targets and choose them on its own even in bad weather.
In Pakistan’s foreign policy, Turkey has started playing a significant role, particularly in terms of security and defense cooperation. However, Turkey needs to be more than merely a defensive ally. Pakistan collaboration with Turkey in different sectors will boost Pakistan’s economy, towards more stable and prosperous Pakistan. Pakistan will need to give economic aims equal weight with defense-related ones to explore that appears to be mutually beneficial. Although it would be difficult, as Pakistan battling with its weakening economy. For Pakistan to succeed in the long run, it is not only necessary but also crucial to have a foreign policy that puts economic goals first. It is crucial for adapting the nation’s foreign policy agenda to recognize that economic demands are equally important as defense needs.
Author: Nazia Sheikh
Email: Nsheikh536@gmail.com
Bio: Nazia Sheikh is a Research Officer at Centre for International Strategic Studies, AJK. Her research area is Arms control and disarmament
