Turkey, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan ink defense cooperation MoU

BEIRUT — Turkey, Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan inked a memorandum of understanding today to strengthen defense cooperation including production, training, research and development.

Senior defense officials from each country met in the Qatari capital of Doha today for a signing ceremony for what’s called the Badr, or full moon, memorandum, according to a Turkish Ministry of Defense announcement and a report from Turkey’s national news agency Anadolu.

The agreement aims to increase “cooperation in the field of military production, strengthen the military capabilities of the four countries, and support cooperation in technical military training, research, and development,” Anadolu said, according to an online translation.

It added that as per the agreement, the countries will seek to develop “solutions and industries compatible with the development of modern defense systems,” pointing that the capabilities of the four countries are complementary. Anadolu noted that the head of Turkey’s defense industry agency attended the signing.

“This agreement will contribute to broadening the scope of military cooperation among participating countries, improving their relations in the defense industry sector, and strengthening multilateral cooperation in a way that supports security and stability and enables the achievement of common goals,” the statement added.

While the MoU was light on specifics, it follows another tie-up that could alter the defense landscape in the region long term. In August, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Pact, which contained a NATO-like clause of calling for mutual defense. Pakistani officials have said that other countries could be added to that pact.

In the meantime, the Mecca Pact is being tested by attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Yemen-based and Iran-backed Houthi group, including a deadly strike on a Riyadh airport. Both Pakistan and Turkey — as well as non-pact members Egypt, France and the United Kingdom — have pledged to aid Riyadh’s defense.