Pakistan considers drones, closer ties with Turkey, worries in Delhi of possible triad with China
Text size:
New Delhi: Pakistan seeks armed drones from Turkey and seeks to deepen already strong bilateral cooperation, especially in defense, even as the two countries align on key issues including Kashmir and Afghanistan .
Growing ties, as well as a possible axis with China, Delhi security experts are starting to worry.
Sources within the Indian defense and security establishment said that the possible purchase of armed drones, especially the Bayraktar TB-2 which helped Azerbaijan defeat Armenia last year, common defense projects, collaboration in Afghanistan and increasing Turkish investment in Pakistan are some of the challenges. discussion between the two countries.
In what is seen by Indian agencies as the latest attempt to cement the relationship, Pakistani President Arif Alvi on Monday awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz or Order of Excellence – a military award – to the commander of the Turkish ground forces, General Umit Dundar, who is visiting the country.
In April of this year, the The Turkish armed forces have awarded General Nadeem Raza, Pakistani chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Legion of Merit for his services in promoting defense relations between the two countries.
In Pakistan, General Dundar also met with the head of the Pakistani army, General Qamar Javed Bajwa. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Pakistani Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement stating that “matters of mutual and professional interest with particular emphasis on collaboration in defense and security between the two brotherly countries were discussed “.
The visit of the Turkish officer is part of a series of exchanges between senior army officers and defense officials of the two countries.
“Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have declined. Turkey is trying to project itself in the Middle East as the counterweight to these two countries and therefore Pakistan coming closer to it is part of a larger game being played, â€a defense source told ThePrint.
The source added that Turkey has focused on the indigenous defense industry and has an advantage in drone technology and in the design and manufacture of warships.
“Pakistan, through China, has missile technology, both conventional and nuclear in addition to fighter jets, which Turkey is looking for,” the source said.
The source added that the two sides have repeatedly discussed the possibility of armed drones “something Ankara is not entirely comfortable selling in Islamabad”.
IHowever, it all depends on what Pakistan has to offer in return for Turkey and that is what matters, a second source said.
A third source within the defense and security establishment said the two countries are currently focusing on Afghanistan. “Turkey seeks to develop wherever it can. Afghanistan is an area where he seems to have some sort of influence and voice, â€the source said. “Militarily and politically, Pakistan and Turkey have drawn closer. ”
The source said Turkey will take over the security of Kabul airport with the withdrawal of foreign forces. “The Taliban said that Turkey would be treated as a member of NATO and not as a Muslim country,” he added. “As a result, Turkey needs Pakistan, especially since it is going to take care of airport security to begin with.”
Read also : What are military theater commands and why does India want to switch to them
“Link growth a matter of concern”
Indian security experts told ThePrint that the growing links are a matter of concern.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra (ret), director general of the Center for Air Power Studies (CAPS), said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come out openly against India’s removal of Section 370 in Kashmir.
“Pakistan and Turkey have close cultural, historical and military relations,†he said. “Turkey supports Pakistan’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The Pakistani and Turkish armed forces also organize numerous joint military exercises. ”
He further underlined that Turkey supports the trilateral process between Pakistan, China and Afghanistan on a peace agreement in Kabul following the withdrawal of American troops from the region.
“Turkey has supported the trilateral process. With the United States leaving Afghanistan, China is seeking Pakistan’s support to enter the region, â€the retired air marshal said. “There is a triangle forming between Turkey, Pakistan and China. None of these countries are really friends with India and therefore everything about this axis should be about India. Any rapprochement of the three is detrimental to India.
His concerns were shared by former Army Artillery Director General Lt. Gen. PR Shankar (retd), who said there was no doubt that growing relations between Pakistan and the Turkey was a matter of concern, but added that Turkey is bound by its NATO membership.
He told ThePrint that Turkey has managed to get its hands on a fair amount of technology, thanks to its NATO membership. “And NATO membership is exactly what will keep Turkey from going mad,” he added. “Turkey gets a lot more from NATO membership than anything else. He will therefore be very careful about what he does with Pakistan.
The officer also said Western countries would not allow Turkey, China and Pakistan to come together as a single bloc. He added that Pakistan seeking armed drones in Turkey when it can get the technology from China indicates that Islamabad is trying to expand its search.
Read also : India must buy anti-drone systems. And we are already late
Turkish drones are a game-changer
If Pakistan manages to land Turkish drones, it will significantly improve the country’s capabilities.
The Turkish armed drones, Bayraktar TB-2, had helped Azerbaijan defeat Armenia to war in November 2020.
While Armenia fought only with tanks, artillery and air defense systems, Azerbaijan relied heavily on drones, especially the Bayraktar TB-2, and loitering ammunition. .
The skirmishes have had huge implications for modern warfare, highlighting the importance that drones are likely to play in the future.
Turkey has so far sold its Bayraktar TB-2s to Poland, Ukraine and Qatar in addition to Azerbaijan. It is also in talks with Albania for the sale of these drones.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra (ret’d) told ThePrint that that of Ankara Bayraktar TB-2 has been combat tested not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the conflict between Turkey and the Kurds, as well as in Libya and Syria.
He added that although Turkey’s withdrawal from the F-35 program, due to its purchase of S 400 from Russia, has been a setback for the country’s aviation industry, it still holds some pedigree in this sector. .
Turkey’s aviation experience includes licensed production of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, CASA CN-235 light transport aircraft, in addition to helicopters and a variety of UAVs, he said. .
Chopra said that while Pakistan watches the drone, Turkey needs fighter aircraft systems and missile technology from Islamabad which are mostly Chinese in origin.
Turkey is not the only country Pakistan is looking for armed drones to, however.
In recent years, there have been several media reports on Pakistan getting armed drones from China. In 2018, the Sherdils aerobatic team of the Pakistani Air Force had, on its official Facebook account, stated that the Pakistani Kamra Air Complex and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company would manufacture jointly 48 Wing Loong II drones.
Military ties between Pakistan and Turkey
Although Islamabad has yet to land Turkish drones, it shares a successful military partnership with Ankara.
Pakistan has relied on turkey for the modernization of its three diesel-electric Agosta 90B attack submarines and for the design and construction of new Corvettes and tankers.
At the beginning of this year, Pakistan also had granted another extension to a helicopter contract it signed with Turkey in July 2018.
The case, valued at $ 1.5 billion, is for 30 T-129 Atak helicopters. Delivery was blocked due to the United States’ refusal to issue export licenses for engines and other parts manufactured by American companies.
(Edited by Arun Prashanth)
Read also : Satellite images reveal Pakistan’s new miniature submarine, site of joint project with China
Subscribe to our channels on Youtube & Telegram
Why the news media is in crisis and how to fix it
India needs free, fair, uninhibited, interrogative journalism even more as it faces multiple crises.
But the news media are in a crisis of their own. There have been brutal layoffs and pay cuts. The best of journalism is shrinking, giving in to crass spectacle in prime time.
ThePrint employs the best young reporters, columnists and editors. To maintain journalism of this quality, it takes smart, thoughtful people like you to pay the price. Whether you live in India or abroad, you can do it here.
Support our journalism
