Recent reports suggest Turkey played a significant role in assisting Islamabad during the recent conflict between India and Pakistan. The support reportedly included the supply of drones and, according to some sources, even military advisors.
Following deadly clashes along the border, which led to a ceasefire, Pakistan's Prime Minister publicly thanked Turkey's President for his support. This public acknowledgment, coupled with reports in Indian media, indicates a deeper level of involvement than just diplomatic support.
Reports suggest that Pakistan deployed hundreds of Turkish-origin drones during the conflict. These drones were allegedly used for various purposes, including surveillance, target marking, and even kamikaze-style attacks on Indian positions along the border. Some reports specifically mention the use of Bayraktar TB2, YIHA drones and Asisguard Songar drones.
Adding another layer of complexity, some Indian sources claim that Turkish military operatives were present in Pakistan, assisting with operational coordination and drone warfare tactics. These reports even allege that two Turkish military personnel were killed during India's "Operation Sindoor," a precision military campaign launched in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam.
Turkey has denied reports of arms delivery. However, claims persist that military equipment was delivered to Pakistan. If these claims are true, it would suggest direct military involvement by Ankara in the conflict.
This alleged support from Turkey has not gone unnoticed in India. Some view it as a betrayal, considering India's humanitarian aid to Turkey during the 2023 earthquake. In response, some trade leaders from India announced a boycott of all travel, business, and cultural interactions with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The relationship between Turkey and Pakistan has been strengthening in recent years, characterized by close cultural and religious ties and a shared vision of leadership in the Islamic world. This has led to increased military cooperation, with Pakistan gradually shifting its defense procurement strategy towards Turkey. One notable aspect of this cooperation is in the area of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology, with agreements for joint development and technology transfer.
The recent conflict has highlighted the growing importance of drones in modern warfare. Pakistan's use of Turkish drones to attempt to overwhelm India's aerial defence capacities, while India deployed its drones more precisely, conducting targeted attacks on Pakistan's military infrastructure.
While the effectiveness of the Turkish drones has been debated, with some reports suggesting they failed to provide a tactical advantage due to India's robust air defense network, their use signifies a shift towards network-centric warfare and the integration of AI capabilities into Pakistan's military doctrine.
Overall, the reports surrounding Turkey's support to Pakistan during the conflict raise serious questions about the nature of their alliance and the implications for regional security. While details remain contested and some claims unverified, it's clear that the relationship between Turkey and Pakistan is a factor in the evolving geopolitical landscape of South Asia.