Riyadh, Jan 22 (NationPress) A potential defense agreement involving Turkey and Pakistan may place new responsibilities on Saudi Arabia, introducing challenges and risks previously absent, as reported.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is reportedly considering a significant defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan, which builds upon the Saudi-Pakistani mutual defense agreement (SDMA) established in September 2025, as noted by Shay Gal, a strategic analyst with expertise in international security, foreign policy, and geopolitical crisis management, in the Eurasian Times.

“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 cannot be delegated. The entire initiative hinges on one critical aspect: predictability,” Gal stated.

“Yet, a defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan, potentially entangled in their own crises and conflicts, creates the opposite effect. It injects uncertainty and risk, which markets tend to avoid. To investors, a treaty represents not protection but rather a contingent liability,” he elaborated.

This trilateral arrangement could shift Saudi Arabia's security focus away from the Gulf, placing it under the unpredictable influence of non-Gulf nations.

“Ankara and Islamabad gain significant leverage and greater flexibility. Conversely, Riyadh finds itself bearing new responsibilities and facing increased risks that did not exist previously,” the report highlighted.

The article in the Eurasian Times emphasized that if Riyadh diminishes its Gulf-centric security framework while elevating Turkey's role, investors may begin to regard Turkey's routes as the safer option. Thus, Saudi Arabia risks two losses: it impedes the corridor intended to position the Kingdom as a regional hub, while simultaneously bolstering Turkey’s strategic importance.

“A defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan would reclassify Saudi Arabia as a risk factor rather than a security asset. It would tether the Kingdom to commitments beyond its control, while others capitalize on stability without relinquishing their autonomy,” the author argued.

Once security arrangements are formalized, ongoing support will become an anticipated norm.

“Renewals, extensions of deposits, and delayed oil provisions will become increasingly difficult to refuse—not through coercion, but through reputational pressure. Saudi credibility would become intertwined with Pakistan’s capabilities, which in turn would depend on Saudi financial resources.

Turkey stands to gain significantly as well. An official security role in the Gulf would grant Ankara genuine legitimacy in the region, expand its market for the flourishing defense sector, and provide direct access to Gulf military forces,” it concluded.