Turkey’s material assistance to Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack is a dramatic reversal of the strategic equilibrium of South Asia. The delivery of Turkish military hardware, such as six C-130 planes to Pakistani airports, is evidence of a nascent Turkey-Pakistan-China nexus. This new bloc can reshuffle regional geopolitics, especially when tensions with India are escalating.
Turkey-Pakistan defense cooperation and Turkey’s military aid to Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack are now critical search terms in understanding the evolving security dynamics.
Turkey Boosts Pakistan Defence Posture
Last Sunday, a Turkish Air Force plane, C-130 Hercules, landed in Karachi with undisclosed quantities of combat materials. At the same time, six additional Turkish military transport planes touched down on a military airbase in Islamabad. Although official details of the shipments have not been disclosed, the transfers evidence Turkey’s strict determination to shore up the defence capabilities of Pakistan. Amidst Pakistan grappling with increasing tensions at its periphery, Turkey’s assistance makes for a good military timing.
China, Turkey, and Pakistan: A New Strategic Triangle
Turkey’s action follows China’s recent military aid, including drones, provided to Pakistan. Collectively, these actions highlight a concerted strategic move. Experts are of the view that the China-Turkey-Pakistan triangle is quickly emerging as a counterbalance to India’s regional influence. The strengthening defence relationship also brings fears of future escalations, particularly in the context of Pakistan’s past proxy wars in Kashmir and Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s Military Mobilisation in Full Swing
In response to increasing regional threats, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has also activated strategic air bases like Peshawar, Skardu, and Swat. Fighter jets like the F-16, J-10, and JF-17 are now stationed there, with combat air patrols already in place. Significantly, the Skardu airbase has been upgraded heavily to serve as a principal operational base for Pakistan’s air defence and surveillance operations. These steps demonstrate Pakistan’s attempts to project preparedness in the face of internal and external challenges.
Strategic Consequences for India and the Region
New Delhi will need to reframe its security measures in light of the emerging China-Turkey-Pakistan bloc. Regional diplomacy too will meet new challenges with Islamabad consolidating its global defense connections. The greater direct intervention by Turkey pulls South Asia into a more militarized and polarized future, making peacekeeping more difficult in an already restive region.
