Turkey to Build Combat Drone Assembly Facility in Pakistan as Part of Expanding UAV Exports

What Happened — Turkey’s Drone Facility Proposal in Pakistan

On December 5, 2025, the international business media reported that Pakistan and Türkiye are in advanced talks to establish a combat drone assembly facility in Pakistan, as part of Ankara’s concerted strategy to deepen its global defense industry footprint.

According to unnamed Turkish officials quoted by the report, the facility will assemble advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including stealth-capable and long-endurance drones exported from Türkiye. Talks have gained momentum since October 2025.

Background — Evolution of Turkish Drone Exports and Pakistan–Türkiye Defense Ties

Over the past decade, Türkiye’s UAV industry — anchored by firms such as Baykar and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) — has transformed from modest domestic programs into a globally recognized exporter of combat-proven drones. The widely deployed Bayraktar TB2 has seen combat in multiple theatres, underscoring the platform’s effectiveness and boosting international demand.

For its part, Pakistan has been gradually increasing defense cooperation with Türkiye. Past collaborations include corvette production for the Pakistan Navy, F-16 upgrades, and joint UAV component production (e.g., production of parts for the ANKA drone together with Pakistan’s national defense industries).

By establishing a drone assembly plant on Pakistani soil, the move would mark a shift from simple hardware sales to embedded co-production — deepening strategic and industrial defense ties between the two countries.

Facility Details — What Will It Build, When and How

According to the sources, the planned facility will focus on assembling Turkish-made combat UAVs — likely including the Bayraktar TB2 and heavier or more capable models such as the Akıncı. Some reports suggest even more advanced stealth-capable and long-endurance drones may be part of the plan.

Officials from both sides remain silent publicly. Türkiye’s Defense Ministry declined comment, and Pakistan’s Information Minister did not respond to media requests.

As of now, no precise location or timeline has been officially announced. However, industry insiders say that preparatory negotiations and site selection processes have already made significant headway since October 2025.

Strategic Context — Why This Matters for Türkiye and Pakistan

Türkiye’s Export Strategy and Defence Industry Growth

Türkiye’s defense exports are reportedly up 30% in the first 11 months of 2025, reaching a record around US$7.5 billion. The new facility aligns with Ankara’s push to transform its defense industry into a globally integrated supply network, especially among allied or partner nations.

By shifting from export-only to localized production in friendly states, Türkiye can reduce logistic burdens, speed up delivery, and establish more resilient supply chains — especially given growing global demand for UAVs. Production in Pakistan could also lower costs for future drones earmarked for export.

Pakistan’s Defence Modernization and Strategic Autonomy

For Pakistan, hosting a Turkish drone assembly plant could enhance its self-reliance in UAV operations — from quicker procurement cycles to enhanced maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities. It may also open pathways for future technology transfer and co-development of UAV variants tailored to regional security needs.

Given the strategic environment, especially in South Asia where aerial and border surveillance — including UAV operations — has become increasingly important, the addition of a domestic-assembled drone fleet may significantly bolster Pakistan’s operational readiness.

Moreover, the venture dovetails with broader plans for cooperation between the two nations, including joint work on the next-generation fifth-generation fighter aircraft program TF‑KAAN, indicating growing aerospace integration.

Challenges & Uncertainties

As of now, key details remain unconfirmed:

• There is no official announcement regarding a firm agreement, plant location, project cost, or precise timeline.
• The silence from both governments suggests the initiative is still in negotiation, and could be subject to political and diplomatic sensitivities.
• Technology transfer and export-control issues — especially for stealth and long-endurance UAV systems — may complicate operationalizing full-scale production on foreign soil.

Finally, actual integration of such a facility would require significant investment, infrastructure, training, and regulatory oversight, which could delay realization well beyond 2026 or 2027.

What’s Next — Implications and What to Watch For

If finalized, the Pakistan-based drone facility could represent a significant milestone in South Asian defense collaboration and reshape regional UAV procurement dynamics. It may accelerate Pakistan’s UAV acquisition and sustainment capacities, reducing reliance on direct imports for future drone needs.

For Türkiye, the move would reinforce its standing as a leading global exporter of combat drones — now offering foreign-based assembly to clients willing to deepen cooperation. It may also encourage other allied states to seek similar co-production arrangements, further entrenching Turkish UAV presence worldwide.

Observers should watch for:

• Formal announcements from the respective defense ministries or defence-industry authorities in Ankara and Islamabad detailing scope, investment, and timelines.
• Signals of technology transfer agreements, joint R&D or training components.
• Potential export orders from third-party nations leveraging the Pakistan facility — which would test the viability of overseas UAV production hubs.