Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade Deepens Strategic Ties

Strategic interdependence between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia is significantly deepening through arms trade, according to a Moneycontrol analysis of weapons import data. This evolving dynamic extends beyond recent defense agreements.

Turkey’s Growing Role in Pakistan’s Defense Imports

From 2020 to 2025, Turkey emerged as the second-largest weapons supplier to Pakistan. This positioned Turkey ahead of traditional suppliers like the Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, and the United States.

• Turkey supplied 6.4% of Pakistan’s total arms imports during this period.
• China remained Pakistan’s primary supplier, accounting for a dominant 79% share.

The defense relationship between Turkey and Pakistan exhibits reciprocity, with Pakistan also contributing to Turkey’s arms acquisitions. Pakistan ranked as Turkey’s eighth-largest supplier in the same timeframe.

• Pakistan provided 0.6% of Turkey’s overall weapons imports from 2020 to 2025.
• Specifically, Pakistan supplied approximately 1.7% of Turkey’s aircraft imports.

Evolution of Bilateral Defense Ties

Bilateral defense ties between Turkey and Pakistan have consistently strengthened over recent periods. Turkey’s share in Pakistan’s arms imports more than doubled in the latest timeframe.

• Turkey’s share in Pakistan’s arms imports rose from 1.3% (2008-13) to 2.8% (2014-19).
• It then increased significantly to 6.4% between 2020 and 2025.

Turkey’s influence was particularly pronounced in specific categories of Pakistan’s military hardware. This highlights a targeted shift in procurement.

• Ships accounted for 17.7% of Pakistan’s imports from Turkey.
• Sensors represented a 7.1% share of these imports.

Saudi Arabia’s Role in the Defense Triangle

Saudi Arabia forms the third component of this defense triangle, maintaining varying levels of arms trade with Turkey. Turkey was once a more significant supplier to Saudi Arabia.

• Turkey was among Saudi Arabia’s top 10 arms suppliers, contributing 0.9% from 2014-19.
• This share decreased to 0.4% in 2020-25, down from 3.6% in 2008-13.

Conversely, Saudi Arabia played a notable role as a supplier to Turkey in the earlier part of the 2010s. This relationship subsequently diminished as Turkey diversified its sourcing.

• Saudi Arabia supplied 1.2% of Ankara’s arms imports from 2008-13.

Persistent Asymmetries and Supplier Shifts

Despite the evolving partnerships, the overall defense landscape remains characterized by significant dependencies on major global powers. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue to rely heavily on specific nations for their arms acquisitions.

• Pakistan’s reliance on China stood at 79% in 2020-25.
• Saudi Arabia’s dependence on the United States was 78% during the same period.

The United States’ role as a supplier to Pakistan has seen a dramatic reduction over time. Turkey also experienced a significant shift in its primary arms suppliers.

• The US share in Pakistan’s imports plummeted from 28% (2008-13) to 0.4% (2020-25).
• After the US share in Turkey’s imports dropped from 49% (2014-19) to 16% (2020-25), Germany, Spain, and Italy became its largest suppliers.

The data collectively indicates a strategic transition for Pakistan and Turkey towards a more reciprocal defense partnership. While Saudi Arabia maintains a smaller, consistent arms trade link, the broader three-way relationship is marked by substantial asymmetry due to the enduring, strong dependencies on China and the United States for core defense needs.