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Türkiye plans to establish a facility in Pakistan to assemble combat drones, part of Ankara’s broader effort to expand its defense industry in international markets, according to Turkish officials familiar with the matter.
Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said discussions over the project have advanced significantly since October.
The plan would involve exporting stealth and long-endurance drones from Türkiye to be assembled in Pakistan.
Türkiye’s Defense Ministry declined to comment, while Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar did not respond to requests for comment.
The talks align with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strategy to broaden Türkiye’s defense footprint in the Middle East and beyond.
This year, Türkiye has announced several international deals, including an order for fighter aircraft from Indonesia, along with plans to supply more weapons to Saudi Arabia and Syria.
Türkiye’s defense exports increased by 30% in the first 11 months of this year, reaching a record $7.5 billion, according to Haluk Gorgun, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries.
Türkiye and Pakistan maintain long-standing defense ties.
Under a co-production agreement, Türkiye is building corvette warships for Pakistan’s navy.
Türkiye has also upgraded dozens of Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets and, according to officials, now wants Islamabad to join its Kaan fifth-generation fighter program.
The discussions come after Pakistan and India declared a ceasefire following a four-day military clash in May between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Tensions remain high between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban of harboring militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.
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