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Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will form political and military mechanisms under the defense pact the three countries signed last week, Türkiye's National Defense Ministry (MoND) said Thursday, adding that the alliance will also deepen defense industry cooperation and include joint military exercises.
The three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7, with the pact stipulating that an armed attack against any member would be regarded as an attack against all, similar to NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause.
At the ministry's weekly briefing in Ankara, MoND spokesman Rear Adm. Zeki Akturk stated that the agreement is intended to give the existing friendship and brotherly relations among the three countries a more institutional and sustainable structure in the defense and security fields.
He said the pact's core goals are to contribute to regional security and stability, develop military cooperation among the three countries, and strengthen their joint capacity to respond to potential crises.
"The agreement in question is defense-oriented and does not designate any country as a shared enemy or adversary," he noted.
The spokesperson said the agreement envisions the creation of strategic political and military mechanisms involving the defense ministers, foreign ministers, chiefs of general staff and armed forces commanders of the three countries, with coordination among them carried out at the highest level.
The Turkish official said military cooperation under the pact is planned to develop gradually, starting with command-post and field exercises. "In this context, starting with command post and field exercises, joint exercises involving land, naval, air, air defense and unmanned systems are targeted to be carried out in later stages," he explained.
Akturk said the exercises are intended to identify needs and shortfalls ahead of potential crises, transfer lessons learned into doctrine, training and planning processes, and continuously develop joint operational capability.
Akturk said defense industry cooperation is one of the agreement's key elements.
"In this context, the goal is not only the procurement of products and systems, but also joint development and production, technology cooperation, and the provision of sustainable maintenance and logistics support," he said.
He said unmanned and autonomous systems, electronic warfare (EW), and artificial intelligence (AI)-supported capabilities are among the priority areas for cooperation.
"The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is regarded as a mechanism that does not represent an alternative or competing structure to NATO, but rather complements the international security architecture by contributing to regional security and stability," Akturk said.
He said other countries' participation could be considered as the mechanism matures, should the necessary consensus be reached, noting, "Our ultimate goal is to build an institutional mechanism that functions effectively in peacetime, is prepared for potential crises, and can provide concrete military support when needed."
"We assess that this cooperation will make an important contribution to regional peace, stability and deterrence, in addition to the security of our countries," the Turkish official noted.
Asked about a separate initiative dubbed the "Red Sea Alliance," the ministry spokesperson said that at Saudi Arabia's invitation, a technical-level meeting was held in Riyadh on July 28 toward establishing a "Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition" aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, followed by a meeting at the level of chiefs of general staff on July 30.
The MoND spokesperson said Türkiye is currently taking part in a coordination meeting being held in Jeddah on Aug. 12–13, and that work continues with Saudi authorities aimed at reducing tension in the Gulf region and ensuring international trade proceeds without interruption.
Asked about activities along Türkiye's borders, the spokesperson said the Turkish Armed Forces are protecting the country's borders "with great dedication and determination" around the clock, in all weather and terrain conditions, under the principle that "the border is a matter of honor."
"In this context, there is no reduction of units or personnel at our border outposts or base areas," he said.
Akturk said work related to the "Terror-Free Türkiye" goal carries historic significance for permanently removing terrorism from the country's agenda, strengthening public safety and social unity, and establishing lasting regional peace and stability.
He credited the sacrifices of fallen soldiers, veterans and their families as central to progress made so far.
"Our ministry has begun the necessary work in full harmony and coordination with the relevant state institutions regarding the implementation of Article 8 of the Law," Akturk said, referring to the recently passed National Solidarity and Social Cohesion Strengthening Law.
"Our Turkish Armed Forces continue their uninterrupted and determined fight against all threats and dangers to our country's survival and security, within our borders and beyond," he added.
Turning to the Middle East, Akturk said lasting peace and stability in the region depend on Israel ending what he described as its occupation and attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.
He said Israel continues attacks that have deepened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as reflected in United Nations reports.
"Israel's rejection of the 15-point Gaza plan is another indication of its expansionist regional policy," Akturk said.
"Meanwhile, despite the signed framework agreement, Israel continues similar attacks and military activity in southern Lebanon. We once again emphasize that it is essential for the international community to take a more determined and firm stance in defense of international law and humanitarian values against these actions by Israel, for the sake of establishing peace and stability in the region," the spokesperson noted.
The MoND spokesperson also provided an update on an F-16 that crashed Wednesday in Yalova.
"On Aug. 12, an F-16 belonging to our Air Force, conducting a training flight as part of the 2026 Air War College Student Selection Flights under the 18th Main Base Command in Yalova, crashed," Akturk said.
"Our pilot, who ejected from the aircraft using the ejection seat, is in good health. The cause of the crash will be determined following a detailed investigation," he added.
A Turkish Air Force (TurAF) F-16 aircraft crashed during a training flight in the northwestern province of Yalova, with the pilot ejecting safely.
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