'Turkish Defense': Joint military exercises with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under the 'Mecca Agreement'
- The agreement complements NATO and is not a competitor... opening the door for other countries to join
Admiral Zeki Akturk, spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Defense, revealed plans for joint military exercises between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, under the framework of the "Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense."
Akturk stated in a weekly press conference that the agreement aims to gradually develop military cooperation, clarifying that this will begin with command center exercises and field drills, evolving in later stages into joint exercises involving land, naval, and air forces, air defense systems, and unmanned systems.
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He added that these exercises aim to identify needs and shortcomings before potential crises, transferring acquired expertise to doctrine, training, and planning operations, alongside the continuous improvement of joint operational capabilities.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense spokesperson noted that the "Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense" aims to establish a more sustainable institutional structure for the existing relations of friendship and brotherhood among the three countries in the fields of defense and security, explaining that the goal is to contribute to regional security and stability, enhance military cooperation among the three nations, and raise their capacity for joint action in the face of potential crises.
He pointed out that the agreement establishes strategic political and military mechanisms involving the ministers of defense, foreign ministers, chiefs of general staff, and armed forces commanders, ensuring coordination at the highest level among the three countries.
He clarified that cooperation in the defense industry is one of the main elements of the agreement, extending beyond the supply of products and systems to include joint development and production, technological cooperation, and providing sustainable maintenance and logistical support.
He indicated that industrial cooperation includes, among its priority areas, unmanned systems, autonomous systems, electronic warfare, and AI-enabled capabilities.
Akturk emphasized that the "Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense" is not an alternative or competitor to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), but rather a complementary mechanism for the international security architecture by contributing to regional security and stability.
He explained that the ultimate goal is to create an effective institutional mechanism in peacetime, ready to face potential crises, and capable of providing tangible military support when needed.
He added: "We believe that this cooperation will significantly contribute to the security of our countries, and to enhancing peace, stability, and regional deterrence."
