Turkey and Qatar have signed a mutual defence agreement, committing them to a common position against any external armed attack on either country, after a meeting of the Turkiye-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee in Istanbul on Friday. The deal, sealed during talks between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, comes as the region deals with the fallout of the US-Israeli war on Iran and disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The agreement, detailed in a joint communique, aims to strengthen collective defence and promote regional security. The two countries agreed to consult on security threats, expand joint military exercises, defence industry collaboration and personnel training exchanges. Erdogan’s office said the deal would “add a new dimension to relations”, while the Emir called it a “strategic partnership”.
Al-Etaibi said the region is braced for more conflict, with fears of renewed military escalation pushing states to build up their defences and deterrence. Security analyst Yusuf Alabarda told Al Jazeera that since the start of the Iran war, “countries are feeling the effects of the war and no one is feeling secure”. He said Gulf states, especially Qatar, “understood that their security guarantees from the United States are not working properly”. The pact is meant to raise the cost of potential aggression, not form an offensive alliance, according to analysts quoted by Al Jazeera.
Al Raya reported that other agreements reached at the meeting covered education, consumer protection, and peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution. The communique also welcomed the Badr memorandum, signed by Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia, as a step towards collective defence through the development of indigenous capabilities. In August, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a regional defence pact.
Abdulla Banndar Al-Etaibi of Qatar University said the partnership is moving to an advanced level based on converging security doctrines and a shared view of threats. Mahjoob Zweiri, a Middle East policy expert, said the move to joint manufacturing marks an advanced strategic stage. He said military industries require billions of dollars in investment and long-term commitments, as well as mutual trust over technology transfer. Ozcan Tikit, an analyst at Anadolu, expects cooperation to expand to missile defence, drones and armoured vehicles, with Qatar potentially joining advanced Turkish air defence projects.
The two countries also pledged to counter “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations” and reiterated a target to raise bilateral trade to $5bn.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The pact signals a shift in Gulf security arrangements as traditional US guarantees are questioned, with regional states seeking new deterrence-based alliances.
- It could accelerate local defence manufacturing, reducing supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the Hormuz disruption.
- The agreement may pave the way for a broader regional security bloc involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
Background
Turkey and Qatar have maintained close ties since 2014 through the Supreme Strategic Committee, which held its 12th meeting this week. Turkey operates a military base in Qatar and is a major trading partner, with Turkish contractors having carried out 206 projects worth $20.8bn in Qatar. The US-Israeli war on Iran and subsequent instability in the Strait of Hormuz have driven regional states to diversify security partnerships and reduce dependence on external powers.
Key Perspectives
Turkey: President Erdogan said the two countries would continue working together to prevent the resurgence of war and that the agreement would add a new dimension to relations.
Qatar: The Emir described the deal as a "strategic partnership" and discussed priorities for joint action.
Analysts: Security analysts said the pact aims to deter aggression rather than form an offensive alliance, and reflects decreasing faith in the US security umbrella. Joint manufacturing of weapons is seen as a strategic necessity.
What to Watch
- Whether Turkish air defence systems and drones are deployed to Qatar, as suggested by security analyst Yusuf Alabarda.
- Expansion of the Badr memorandum to include more countries, with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan mentioned as potential partners.
- Next steps in joint defence manufacturing, particularly in missile defence and armoured vehicles.