Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, Indonesia sign defence co-op accord

ANKARA, OCT 21: Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed an agreement on Wednesday to boost defence cooperation and strengthen defensive capabilities, the Turkish Defence Ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said the countries signed the "Badr Memorandum of Understanding" in Doha, signalling their desire to deepen cooperation and develop partnerships.

"The agreement holds substantial economic importance," it said, adding that the accord sought to foster cooperation in military production, boost military capabilities and promote collaboration in technical military training, research and development.

"By leveraging the unique military production capabilities of each country, the initiative will facilitate cooperation and integration, enhance defence industrial capacities, and enable the fulfilment of the needs of allied and friendly nations," it added.

Turkey, which has Nato's second-largest army and a robust defence industry, has been helping Gulf nations, including Qatar, where it has a military base, bolster their defences amid the Iran war.

In August, it signed a mutual defence pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, under which an attack on one party constitutes an attack on all. Ankara also has close ties with Indonesia, particularly in the defence industry.

The ministry said the Badr accord would strengthen ties between the countries' defence industries and bolster collaboration to promote security and achieve shared objectives. �"REUTERS