Turkey is planning to establish a plant in Pakistan to assemble military-grade drones for export, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Talks on the project, which involves producing stealth attack drones and long-endurance unmanned aircraft, have accelerated since October. The initiative forms part of Ankara’s broader strategy to boost defense exports.
In addition to drone production, Turkey has modernized dozens of Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets and is now looking to involve Islamabad in the development of its fifth-generation fighter jet, the Kaan.
Haluk Gorgun, head of Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries, said the country’s defense exports rose 30% during the first 11 months of this year, reaching a record $7.5 billion.
Turkey and Pakistan maintain strong defense ties, including a co-production agreement to build corvette warships for the Pakistani navy. The two nations are now exploring deeper collaboration, extending from fighter jet modernization to next-generation aircraft programs.
