Islamabad, 21 May 2022 (TDI): General Hulusi Akar (Retired), Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan.
The agenda of the meeting between the two officials was to discuss matters of mutual interest pertaining to defense & security collaboration between Turkey and Pakistan.
General Hulusi Akar (Retired), Minister of National Defence of Republic of #Turkey called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (#COAS)
During meeting, matters of mutual interest including defence & security cooperation between both countries#PakistanArmy #ISPR
1/3 pic.twitter.com/wamiZVmW3j— Pakistan Armed Forces 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) May 21, 2022
In addition, the overall regional security situation was also discussed. Along these lines, the two sides also reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations as well as collaborative efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.
General Hulusi Akar lauded Pakistan’s contribution to the regional security as well as its connectivity. In the same vein, he reaffirmed the full support of Turkey to the stance of Pakistan’s stance on regional along with international issues.
Pakistan-Turkey Defense Ties
Pakistan and Turkey enjoy historic fraternal ties that are “marked by unique mutual trust and mutual support.” There is a great potential for defense industrial cooperation between the two partners.
The two have been regularly collaborating at the level of tri-forces i.e. Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Forec, and Pakistan Army. In this context, bilateral military exercises are regularly conducted.
Pakistan and Turkey have retained long-standing defense ties. There has been a considerable boom in Pak-Turkey defense collaboration over the last few years as agreements in the defense sector have been signed between the two.
Pakistan-Turkey defense ties go beyond acquisitions of Turkish arms by Pakistan. Turkey has procured drone parts, training aircraft, and bombs from Islamabad.
Moreover, the two countries are also increasingly seeking technological collaboration. The MILGEM Ada-class ship deal is one example of the transfer of technology.
Furthermore, Turkey and Pakistan also aim to deepen collaboration for research and development cooperation as well as faculty and student exchanges.
