India’s security and diplomatic establishment is on high alert after intelligence assessments confirmed that Turkey has significantly increased military support to Pakistan in the aftermath of India’s successful Operation Sindoor, conducted along the Line of Control (LoC) last month. The development has sparked concerns within strategic circles about deepening Ankara-Islamabad defence ties, potentially complicating India’s regional security calculus.
What Is Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was a precision counter-terror surgical operation conducted by the Indian Army in early June 2025 to neutralise infiltrating terrorist groups in northern Kashmir. Defence sources reported:
- Over 25 terrorists and handlers neutralised, including top Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives.
- Multiple launchpads along the LoC destroyed.
- Tactical dominance re-established in infiltration-prone sectors.
While the operation received widespread domestic approval, it triggered strong reactions from Pakistan, with Islamabad accusing India of violating ceasefire norms – an allegation India denied, citing cross-border terror threats.
Turkey’s Military Support To Pakistan: Key Developments
| Support Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Armed drones | Delivery of additional Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) |
| Small arms and ammunition | Increased shipments of Turkish-origin sniper rifles and assault weapons |
| Training and doctrine exchange | Joint Special Forces urban warfare drills planned in Rawalpindi |
| Defence industry cooperation | Talks on co-production of armoured vehicles and drone munitions |
Recent Turkish Deliveries To Pakistan
Indian intelligence sources have flagged:
- Arrival of Bayraktar TB2 UAV batch in Karachi Port last week.
- Ongoing assembly line discussions for the Akinci high-altitude long-endurance drone in Pakistan.
- Upgrades to Pakistan Navy’s MILGEM-class corvettes, co-produced with Turkish defence major ASFAT.
Why Turkey Is Supporting Pakistan More Aggressively Now
- Strategic Islamic Solidarity: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration has positioned itself as a leader of Islamic causes globally, often criticising India’s Kashmir policy.
- Defence Exports Push: Turkey seeks to expand its defence market footprint in South Asia, countering Western arms embargo impacts.
- Balancing Against India-Greece Ties: India’s growing strategic partnership with Greece, including naval cooperation in the Mediterranean, has irked Ankara.
- Pakistan’s Growing Drone Requirements: After setbacks against Indian counter-drone systems in past skirmishes, Pakistan wants to upgrade its UAV fleet rapidly.
Turkish-Pakistani Military Cooperation: Recent Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Turkey delivers MKE small arms to Pakistan Army |
| 2019 | Joint naval exercises in Arabian Sea |
| 2021 | Delivery of first MILGEM corvette |
| 2023 | Agreement to supply T129 ATAK helicopters (later delayed due to US engine export restrictions) |
| 2024 | Initiation of Akinci drone co-production talks |
| 2025 | Post Operation Sindoor: accelerated drone and ammunition supplies |
India’s Strategic Concerns
Indian defence planners are assessing:
- Enhanced drone surveillance by Pakistan along LoC and Rajasthan sector using Turkish UAVs.
- Potential transfer of drone swarm or loitering munition technology that could target Indian armour concentrations.
- Greater Pakistani naval confidence with Turkish corvette upgrades threatening India’s dominance in Arabian Sea littorals.
Statements From Indian Defence Officials
A senior military source said:
“Turkey’s military supply to Pakistan is an expected but worrying development. We are upgrading counter-drone and electronic warfare capabilities accordingly.”
Another official added:
“Operation Sindoor restored tactical dominance in Kashmir. Any escalation by Pakistan using Turkish systems will be met with proportionate deterrence.”
Turkish Media And Leadership Statements
Turkish pro-government daily Yeni Safak published an editorial last week calling Pakistan “a brother nation deserving strong defence support against aggression.”
President Erdoğan’s Defence Advisor, Ismail Demir, tweeted:
“Turkey remains committed to strengthening Pakistan’s defence self-reliance. Our partnership is based on trust and shared regional stability goals.”
Pakistan’s Strategic Intentions
Islamabad sees Turkish cooperation as:
- A counterbalance to US-India defence ties, particularly with India’s recent procurement of MQ-9B Predator drones from the US.
- An opportunity to strengthen joint drone production and advanced munitions manufacturing under its “Defence Production Vision 2030.”
Comparative Assessment: Indian vs Pakistani Drone Capabilities
| Country | Key Systems | Origin | Operational Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Heron TP, MQ-9B SeaGuardian, indigenous Archer-NG | Israel, US, India | Operational; indigenous UAVs expanding |
| Pakistan | Bayraktar TB2, Akinci (ordered), Shahpar II | Turkey, Pakistan | TB2 operational, Akinci induction imminent |
Possible Indian Counter-Measures
Indian defence strategists propose:
- Accelerated Indigenous Drone Induction: Fast-tracking DRDO Archer-NG and stealth drone Ghatak projects.
- Electronic Warfare Upgrades: Deployment of new drone jammers and EMP-based defence systems along LoC.
- Strategic Diplomacy: Raising Turkey’s defence support to Pakistan at multilateral platforms to highlight destabilisation risks.
- Naval Posturing: Increasing deployments in Arabian Sea to deter any joint Turkish-Pakistani naval exercise spillover effects.
Strategic Analysts’ View
Lt Gen. DS Hooda (Retd), former Northern Army Commander:
“Turkey’s drone and naval supplies to Pakistan will complicate India’s operational planning, but our doctrinal superiority and counter-drone systems remain strong.”
Dr. Brahma Chellaney, strategic expert:
“India must diplomatically engage Turkey while strengthening ties with Greece and Armenia to check Ankara’s adventurism in South Asia.”
Regional Geopolitical Implications
Turkey’s enhanced support to Pakistan comes as:
- India and Greece upgrade defence ties, including joint naval drills in the Mediterranean.
- Turkey seeks a role in Afghan reconciliation efforts, projecting itself as a mediator with Taliban elements influencing Pakistani security decisions.
- China continues to supply advanced Wing Loong drones to Pakistan, giving Islamabad a diverse drone fleet for surveillance and potential strike missions.
Key Takeaways
- Turkey has stepped up military support to Pakistan post Operation Sindoor, supplying drones, small arms, and naval upgrades.
- India is closely monitoring these developments, with defence planners preparing counter-drone and naval deterrence strategies.
- The move reflects Turkey’s strategic intent to deepen its South Asian footprint, aligning with Pakistan’s defence modernisation goals.
- India is expected to raise these concerns in upcoming strategic dialogues with the US, France, and Greece, ensuring regional security balance.
- Operation Sindoor, while tactically successful, has triggered new geopolitical realignments, reaffirming the complex security dynamics in South Asia.
What’s Next?
India’s National Security Council is expected to hold a high-level review meeting this week, assessing Turkish-Pakistani defence cooperation implications and calibrating its future operational and diplomatic response.
Disclaimer
This article is for editorial and informational purposes only. Data are sourced from Indian intelligence assessments, defence ministry briefings, and open-source reports from Turkish and Pakistani media. Readers are advised to refer to official government statements for confirmed security policies and procurement decisions.
