{"id":21961,"date":"2018-09-19T21:18:46","date_gmt":"2018-09-19T21:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/09\/19\/future-pakistan-turkish-defense-cooperation-likely-to-be-incremental-for-now\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:59:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:59:07","slug":"future-pakistan-turkish-defense-cooperation-likely-to-be-incremental-for-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/asia-pacific\/2018\/09\/19\/future-pakistan-turkish-defense-cooperation-likely-to-be-incremental-for-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Future Pakistan-Turkish defense cooperation likely to be incremental, for now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ISLAMABAD \u2014 Pakistan\u2019s ambassador to Turkey pledged this week to increase defense cooperation between the two countries to new levels, but after a string of recent deals<\/a>, analysts believe further cooperation will be incremental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Turkey\u2019s Daily Sabah, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi highlighted defense relations such as recent deals for platforms like the T-129 helicopter gunships<\/a> and Milgem corvettes<\/a>, which he said would further improve as the countries continue to explore new opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The existing deals alone are likely to see substantial offsets and technological input for Pakistani industry, and build upon existing supply of defense technology critical for all three branches of Pakistan\u2019s military. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan\u2019s defense industry generally lags behind other nations, and has struggled to offer much in return bar a deal for the PAC Super Mushak basic training aircraft, further highlighting the importance of the relationship between Ankara and Islamabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked exactly how that relationship may further improve, Brian Cloughley, and author, analyst, and former Australian defense attach\u00e9 to Islamabad, said there is room to do so. He highlighted training as one area of cooperation, thanks to tensions between Pakistan and the U.S.<\/a>, along with armored personnel carriers and future orders of helicopters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Turkish AFV-related technology is already finding its way onto Pakistani APCs and tanks, Pakistan is exploring options to supplement or even replace its M113 type APCs, perhaps with an IFV design, with Turkey\u2019s Kaplan or Tulpar IFV programs potentially of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey\u2019s T625 multirole transport helicopter<\/a> may also be considered to replace Pakistan\u2019s range of legacy types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both countries also have active fifth generation fighter development projects, but analysts believe this level of cooperation is presently a step too far.<\/p>\n\n\n\t