# Turkey's expanding defence partnerships

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkeys-expanding-defense-partnerships
> Updated: 2026-08-05T09:54:23.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

In early July 2026, Turkey and the United Kingdom signed a comprehensive security and defence partnership at a NATO summit, covering defence‑industry projects, counter‑terrorism, hybrid‑threat response and cyber‑security, but without a mutual‑defence clause. Less than a month later, Turkey joined Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in Riyadh to sign a mutual‑defence agreement that formalises a strategic alliance among the three Sunni‑majority states and expands military cooperation. In early August 2026, the three nations sealed a joint defence pact in Jeddah, building on the earlier Saudi‑Pakistan framework. The agreement adds joint military exercises, intelligence sharing and defence‑industry cooperation, and is presented as a measure to bolster regional stability amid heightened US‑Iran tensions affecting key shipping routes. Together, these accords illustrate Turkey’s rapid effort to broaden its defence and security ties across both European and Middle‑Eastern partners.

## Claims

- Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan will sign a joint defence agreement in Jeddah on 7 August 2026. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Pakistan is the only Muslim‑majority state that possesses nuclear weapons. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The signing is motivated by regional tensions linked to the US‑Iran conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Erdogan and Prime Minister Sharif will attend the signing ceremony. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The pact builds on the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September 2025. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The agreement is expected to include joint military exercises, intelligence sharing and defence‑industry cooperation. (single source)
- The pact is not directed against any specific country. (single source)
- Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the pact aims to reduce external dependence and protect regional peace. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to Sign Joint Defence Pact in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan will sign a joint defence pact in Jeddah on 7 Aug 2026, linking their militaries amid US‑Iran tensions and building on a 2025 Saudi‑Pakistan agreement.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-pakistan-and-turkey-sign-strategic-defense-pact

### 2026-07-07: Turkey and United Kingdom Sign New Defense and Security Agreement

Turkey and the UK signed a broad defence and security pact at the NATO summit, covering industry, counter‑terrorism, cyber‑security and hybrid threats, with the text kept confidential.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-and-britain-seal-defence-pact-ahead-of-nato-summit-in-ankara

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Cite as: Turkey's expanding defence partnerships. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkeys-expanding-defense-partnerships