Islamabad/Istanbul, January 15, 2026: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye have prepared a draft trilateral defence agreement after nearly a year of discussions, Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Production, Raza Hayat Harraj, said Wednesday, signaling a potential strategic bulwark against rising regional tensions.
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Harraj told Reuters that the proposed agreement is separate from last year’s bilateral Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA). “The draft agreement is already available with us, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye. All three countries are deliberating, and this process has been ongoing for the last 10 months,” he said. A final consensus among the three nations is required before the deal is concluded.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking at a press conference in Istanbul Thursday, confirmed that talks have taken place but emphasized that no agreement has yet been signed. Fidan called for broader regional cooperation and trust to address sources of instability and external influence, stating, “All regional nations must come together to create a cooperation platform on the issue of security.”
The trilateral defence draft, reported last week by Bloomberg to be at an “advanced stage of discussions,” could reshape regional security dynamics if finalized. Pakistani officials highlighted decades-long defence cooperation with Turkiye, including the construction of corvette warships for the Pakistan Navy, upgrades to F-16 fighter jets, and drone technology support.
Domestic and international interest in Pakistani defence capabilities has surged since the May 2025 conflict with India, where Pakistan successfully neutralized six enemy fighter jets, including three Rafale jets, and numerous drones over an 87-hour war. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said last week that multiple countries are now in talks to acquire Pakistan’s fighter jets, including the JF-17 Thunder.
The May 2025 war erupted after India launched an unprovoked attack following a terrorist incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 tourists. Pakistan denied involvement and has called for a neutral investigation. The conflict ended on May 10 with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
The trilateral draft agreement underscores the evolving security calculus in South Asia and the broader Middle East, highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to deepen defence ties with regional allies.
