A Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder jet, manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Corp. of China.
Photographer: Jason Alden / Bloomberg
Photographer: Jason Alden / Bloomberg
Turkey insists on manufacturing warplanes and missiles with Pakistan, a connection that could also give it access to valued war technology from China.
Turkish defense and government officials have held periodic talks with Pakistani counterparts – the last high-level discussion was in January – on the development and manufacture of military equipment with Pakistan, according to people from both countries familiar with the negotiations. The people did not say when they would meet again or how close they were to an agreement.
An agreement would bring Turkey, which is NATO, closer to some of China’s military technology. Pakistan is building its JF-17 fighter jets with China and is reportedly adapting Chinese designs for its Shaheen ballistic missile.
Turkey sees nuclear power Pakistan as a strategic ally and potential partner in building its Siper long-range missile defense project and TFX fighter jet, the celebrities said and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss strategic objectives. The people did not say whether the talks came to the point of asking Beijing’s permission to share Chinese defense technology.
Asked about the restrictions on arms exports, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the Chinese government “has always taken a prudent and responsible stance in the export of military products and the laws and regulations of China’s military export management and its international implementation strictly enforce duties. ”
Pakistan looks at aviation in ambitious defense exports
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has praised ‘very serious potential’ for co-operation with Pakistan on defense projects, and top defense officials have met in recent months. Pakistani Defense Secretary Mian Muhammad Hilal Hussain met with top Turkish officials in December, including Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, and discussed cooperation with the defense industry, the celebrities said. Akar also met with the Pakistani defense minister, military chief and air force chief, and accompanied Erdogan on a visit to Pakistan over the past year.
The countries already have some cooperation in the defense industry, including co-manufacturing of warships that Turkey sold to Pakistan.
Turkish adoption of Chinese military technology could cause new frictions with the US, which would be disgusting to see Ankara move further away from the Western military alliance. Washington is already sanctioning Turkey for buying a missile defense system from Russia, and has suspended Turkish companies from participating in the development of Lockheed Martin Corp. ‘s F-35 stealth fighter.
Turkish officials who spoke about contacts with Pakistan said the outreach was in line with Ankara’s quest to become a center of power in an increasingly multipolar world.
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Turkey signed the S-400 agreement with Russia two years after it scrapped plans to buy a Chinese missile defense system, under pressure from the US. Ankara is now negotiating a possible purchase of a second S-400 system and a co-production Moscow.
The US has said Turkey does not want to buy comparable US Patriot batteries, while Ankara has said Washington refuses to share technology from the US system. Turkey is also bitter about its NATO allies in Europe who have not agreed to supply engines for its fighter jets and tank projects.
After a meeting chairman by Erdogan on Tuesday, Turkey’s defense agency said the Turkish defense industry was being targeted ‘openly and secretly’ prohibitiones. ”
“Turkey will confidently take steps towards its goal of having a fully independent defense industry with its determination to design, develop and manufacture local and national systems,” the agency, known as the SSB, said.
– With the help of Faseeh Mangi and Lucille Liu
(Updates with background and statement from the Turkish Defense Agency in the last three paragraphs)