Turkey is examining a proposal to establish a combat drone assembly factory in Pakistan, a move that reflects growing international recognition of Pakistan’s strategic importance and the professionalism of its armed forces. According to a report by Bloomberg, the initiative is part of Ankara’s broader plan to expand its defense industry and strengthen regional partnerships through advanced technology cooperation.
Bloomberg reports that Turkey plans to export advanced long-range and stealth-capable drones to Pakistan for assembly, marking a major step toward transforming Pakistan into a modern defense production hub in the region. Turkey’s defense exports have surged by 30 percent in the first eleven months of the ongoing year, reaching $7.5 billion, highlighting the country’s rapid emergence as a global defense supplier.
The proposed assembly facility adds to an already expanding portfolio of joint defense ventures between the two nations. Turkey is currently manufacturing modern naval warships for the Pakistan Navy under a joint production agreement. Ankara has also expressed interest in Pakistan’s participation in its fifth-generation fighter jet program “Kaan,” signaling deeper long-term military cooperation.
Defense collaboration between the two countries has been growing steadily over the years. Turkish Aerospace Industries opened its first office in Pakistan in 2019, paving the way for technical cooperation. In 2021 and 2022, the company signed agreements with Pakistan’s National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) for joint production of components for the advanced Anka drone, which can fly above 30,000 feet, remain airborne for over 24 hours, and carry payloads of up to 250 kilograms. Additionally, both nations are partners in a $1.5 billion deal for the supply of 30 T-129 ATAK helicopters to Pakistan.
The establishment of a drone assembly factory in Pakistan is expected to significantly enhance the country’s access to modern drone technologies while strengthening the bilateral defense partnership. Turkey’s commitment to joint projects underscores its confidence in the capability, standards and reliability of the Pakistan Armed Forces, marking another milestone in Pakistan–Turkey strategic cooperation.
