The Pak Banker

Turkey wants to produce jets and missiles with Pakistan

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ISLAMABAD: Ankara sees Pakistan as a strategic ally and a potential partner in developing its Siper longrange missile-defence project and TF-X fighter jetsTurkey is looking to co-manufactur­e missiles and warplanes with Pakistan, with the collaborat­ion likely to pave the way for the country to access Chinese war technology as well.

According to a Bloomberg report, Turkish defence and government officials have held meetings with their Pakistani counterpar­ts on the prospects of developing and manufactur­ing military hardware together. People from both countries, according to Bloomberg have confirmed the developmen­t, adding that the last such meeting took place in January. However, they didn't disclose how far the two countries are to reaching a deal or when such a meeting will take place again.

Pakistan develops the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet with China. This means that Turkey can get its hands on Chinese military technology when it collaborat­es on defence projects with Pakistan. Islamabad is said to have adopted Chinese designs for its Shaheen ballistic missiles as well. Turkish officials familiar with the matter spoke to Bloomberg on the condition of anonymity to say that Ankara sees Islamabad as a strategic ally and a potential partner in developing its Siper long-range missile-defence project and TF-X fighter jets.

"Pakistani Defence Secretary Mian Muhammad Hilal Hussain met with top Turkish officials including Defence Minister Hulusi Akar in December, and discussed defence industry cooperatio­n, the people familiar said," read Bloomberg. The move on Turkey's end could complicate its relations with the US as Washington recently sanctioned its NATO ally for buying a missile defence system from Russia. The US also suspended Turkish companies from participat­ing in the developmen­t of the Lockheed Martin Corp.'s F-35 stealth fighter jet.

The offer was made by Turkey's Ambassador to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul in a meeting with then Interior Minister Brigadier (retired) Ijaz Ahmad Shah last year. The Turkish envoy was informed by Ijaz Shah that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considerin­g a draft and was in touch with the interior ministry.

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