Türkiye poised to establish military drone assembly plant in Pakistan.
Bloomberg reported that Turkey is in talks with Pakistan to set up a military drone assembly plant on its soil, including stealthy, long-range, and highly combat-capable models.
The talks have intensified since October 2025 and are part of Ankara’s broader plan to increase military exports and strengthen strategic partnerships in the region.
In addition to the drone project, Turkey also plans to include Pakistan in its fifth-generation fighter program, called “Kaan.” The cooperation will include technology transfers in aircraft design, aerospace, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies.
According to the report, Turkey has already modernized dozens of Pakistani F-16 fighters, and now expanding cooperation to the level of joint production of drones and participation in the fifth-generation fighter project indicates the expansion of defense relations between the two countries.
It is said that major Turkish military companies, including Baykar (the manufacturer of the flagship drones), will play a key role in this cooperation. Turkey’s military exports have increased significantly this year, and Ankara is trying to expand its military and economic influence by entering new markets.
In recent years, Turkey, relying on the growth of its domestic military industries, has become one of the world’s major exporters of military drones; drones that have played a prominent role in the wars in Karabakh, Ukraine, Libya, and Syria. Pakistan, given its growing need for aerospace technology and combat drones, is also seeking to expand cooperation with Turkey.
The two countries have previously collaborated on joint projects such as the construction of Milgam-class warships and F-16 modernization programs. Entering the field of joint drone production and participating in the fifth-generation Kaan fighter jet indicates that these relations have been elevated to a strategic and long-term level.