Pakistan-Turkey Drone Deal Concerns For India? – Free PDF Download

What has happened?

• Pakistan is seeking armed drones from Turkey and is looking to deepen the already strong bilateral cooperation, especially in the defence arena,
• Even as both countries align on key issues including Kashmir and Afghanistan.
• The growing ties, along with a possible axis with China, are beginning to cause concern among security experts in Delhi.
• Sources in the Indian defence and security establishment said possible procurement of armed drones,
• Especially the Bayraktar TB-2 that helped Azerbaijan defeat Armenia last year, joint defence projects, collaboration in Afghanistan and greater Turkish investments in Pakistan are some of the issues that are under discussion between the two countries.

Bayraktar TB-2

• If Pakistan manages to land Turkish drones, it will significantly improve the country’s capabilities.
• The Turkish armed drones, Bayraktar TB-2, had helped Azerbaijan defeat Armenia in the war in November 2020.
• While Armenia only fought with tanks, artillery and air defence systems, Azerbaijan relied heavily on drones, especially the Bayraktar TB-2, and loitering munitions.

• The skirmishes have had huge implications for modern warfare, underlining the importance that drones are likely to play in the future.
• Turkey has so far sold its Bayraktar TB-2s to Poland, Ukraine and Qatar besides Azerbaijan. It is also in talks with Albania for the sale of these drones.

Combat tested drone

• Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd) told that Ankara’s Bayraktar TB-2 has been combat tested not just in Azerbaijan but also in Turkey’s conflict with the Kurds and in Libya and Syria.

What turkey will get in return?

• Turkey’s removal from the F-35 programme, because of its S 400 purchase from Russia, has been a setback for the country’s aircraft industry.
• While Pakistan eyes the drone, Turkey needs fighter aircraft systems and missile technology from Islamabad that is basically of Chinese origin.

Drones from china also

• Turkey though isn’t the only country that Pakistan is looking to for armed drones.
• Over the past few years, there have been multiple media reports about Pakistan getting armed drones from China.
• In 2018, the Pakistan Air Force’s Sherdils Aerobatic Team had, on its official Facebook account, said that the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture 48 Wing Loong II drones.

Building Pakistan-Turkey relations

• In what is being seen as the latest attempt to cement the relationship, Pakistan President Arif Alvi Monday conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz or Order of Excellence — a military award — on the Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, Gen Umit Dundar, who is on a visit to the country.
• In April this year, the Turkish Armed Forces had awarded Gen Nadeem Raza, Pakistan’s Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Legion of Merit for his services in promoting defence relations between the two countries.
• “Pakistan’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and UAE has seen a dip. Turkey is trying to project itself in the Middle East as the counterbalance to these two countries and hence Pakistan growing closer to it is part of a larger game that is being played,” a defence source told.
• The source added that Turkey has focused on indigenous defence industry and has an edge in drone technology and in designing and manufacturing naval ships.

Matter of concern for India?

• Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), Director General of the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spoken openly against India removing Article 370 in Kashmir.
• “Pakistan and Turkey enjoy close cultural, historical and military relations,” he said.
• “Turkey supports Pakistan’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Pakistani and Turkish Armed Forces also hold many joint military exercises.”
• His concerns were shared by the Army’s former Director General of Artillery, Lt Gen P.R. Shankar (retd), who said,
• There is no doubt that growing Pakistan-Turkey relations is a matter of concern but added that Turkey is bound by its NATO membership.
• He told that Turkey has managed to get its hands on a fair amount of technology, thanks to its NATO membership.
• “And NATO membership is exactly what will prevent Turkey from running amok,” he added.
• “Turkey gains a lot from its NATO membership than anything else.
• So it will be very careful about what it does with Pakistan.”
• The officer also said western countries will not allow Turkey, China and Pakistan to come together as one block.
• He added that Pakistan seeking armed drones from Turkey while it can get the technology from China indicates that Islamabad is trying to spread its search.

Q) Who has launched naval exercises “Sea Breeze drills” in the Black Sea with the United States?

A) Moldova

B) Ukraine

C) Belarus

D) Hungary

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