Türkiye is preparing to set up a specialized combat drone assembly facility in Pakistan, marking a new milestone in the deep-rooted defence partnership between the two countries. The initiative represents not only a technological collaboration but also a strategic bond aimed at strengthening regional security and expanding Türkiye’s global defence footprint.
A Significant Leap in Defence Cooperation
According to officials familiar with the matter, discussions between Ankara and Islamabad have progressed rapidly since October, moving from initial proposals to near-final technical deliberations. Although both governments have refrained from public comment, insiders describe the project as being in an “advanced and promising stage.”
The plan involves Türkiye exporting partially built stealth and long-endurance drones to Pakistan, where they will be fully assembled at the new facility. This will allow Pakistan to benefit from advanced UAV technology while gradually building local expertise.
Türkiye’s Global Defence Ambition
The establishment of this facility aligns closely with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s broader strategy of expanding Türkiye’s influence in the Middle East, South Asia, and the wider global defence market.
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Türkiye’s defence exports have seen a significant growth, and the growth is touching $7.5 billion in just the first eleven months of this year. The country has recently inked defence deals with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and several African nations, and it is displaying itself as a rising global supplier of
- Drones
- Armored vehicles
- Naval systems
The Pakistan drone initiative is viewed as another high-value chapter in this expansion.
A Partnership Built on Historic Trust
Pakistan and Türkiye share decades of military cooperation. Their collaboration includes
• Corvette warship co-production,
• F-16 upgrade programs,
• Joint development of next-generation fighter jets, and
• technology transfer for the Anka UAV series.
This drone assembly facility builds on that legacy, elevating the partnership from defence procurement to joint manufacturing and local capacity building.
Combat Drone Assembly Facility: Strategic Importance for Pakistan
For Pakistan, the assembly plant offers two major advantages:
1. Access to cutting-edge drone technology at lower acquisition costs.
2. Strengthening indigenous defence production, a long-standing national objective.
Read more: New anti-drone unit in Punjab will have radar, jamming, directed energy and mobile response
The timing also reflects growing regional security sensitivities, especially after the recent ceasefire with India following May border clashes and persistent tensions along the Afghanistan frontier. Enhanced UAV capabilities could help Pakistan improve surveillance, border monitoring, and rapid-response capacity.
Combat Drone Assembly Facility Project with Regional Impacts
If these projects get finalized, the facility is about to deepen bilateral ties and shift regional defence dynamics, potentially giving Pakistan a stronger technological upper edge while boosting Türkiye’s profile as a dependable defence partner.
The coming months will truly determine final timelines, but officials describe the deal as a “historic and forward-looking collaboration” which is meant to bring alterations in both countries’ defence futures.