Mecca Joint Defense Agreement: Analysis of the Three Mechanisms Planned

Ministruy of Defence Turkey: Source Screenshot Anadolu Agency

Moving rapidly after Leaders of the three nations, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Mecca Join Defence Agreement in Riyadh on August 7, a three-point framework and mechanisms have now been outlined in a briefing to the Press by the Turkish Ministry of Defence Spokesperson. Rear Adm. Zeki Akturk of the Turkish Armed Forces on August 13.

Akturk highlighted that Mecca Joint Defense Agreement aims to place the existing friendly and fraternal relations among the three countries on a more institutionalized and sustainable footing in the fields of defence and security.

The first and highest level in the framework is strategic - political and military mechanisms involving defence ministers, foreign ministers, chiefs of general staff and armed forces commanders.

This will ensure coordination at the highest level of the national security leadership and the foreign ministry thus covering the diplomacy and the armed forces chiefs. At this level, an annual leader’s summit and what is known as the Mecca Defence Council is planned. A Strategic Planning Secretariat is also envisaged.

A Joint Military Committee with Chiefs of Staffs at the head and integrated command cells would be in the offing.

At the second level is training and exercises which are expected to include " command-post and field exercises and, at later stages, conduct joint exercises involving land, naval, air, air defense and unmanned systems."

These exercises will identify “needs and shortcomings ahead of potential crises, incorporate lessons learned into doctrine, training and planning processes and continuously improve joint operational capabilities”.

One of the important operational outcomes emanating could be a shared ISR Grid comprising of satellites, UAVs and signals intelligence pooling.

The third layer is defense industry cooperation, “not only to procure products and systems but also to ensure joint development and production, technology cooperation and sustainable maintenance and logistics support."

This will focus on next generation technologies as “unmanned and autonomous systems, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence-supported capabilities”. For this purpose, joint working groups are expected to be established.

Rear Adm. Zeki Akturk once again emphasized that "The agreement in question is defensive in nature and does not identify any country as a common enemy or adversary," he said.

On NATO he said, "The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is not an alternative or rival to NATO but is considered a mechanism that complements the international security architecture by contributing to regional security and stability."

Analysis

Apparently, some homework has been done jointly with Ankara in the lead given its experience with the NATO system on the MJDA before the three leaders signed the same indicating discussions that have occurred over possibly several months.

Given substantial bilateral cooperation which prevails between the three countries Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia now a trilateral network is expected to create greater synergy.

Much has been said about the ability to respond to crises jointly, what would these be given variance in threat perception by the three countries remains to be seen?

Would Turkey and Pakistan come to the assistance of Saudi Arabia as it comes under Iranian or Houthi drone strikes?

Will Turkey and Saudi Arabia pitch in for Pakistan in case of a punitive strike by India post a terrorist attack in the country on the lines of Operation Sindoor will be a key question?

Some of these dilemmas are likely to be war-gamed by the Strategic Planning Secretariat and options evolved over the next few months.

So we will continue to follow the developments closely.