May 18, 2026
Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets and an air defence system to Saudi Arabia under a
mutual defence pact, ramping up military cooperation with Riyadh even as Islamabad serves as the main mediator in
the Iran war.
All five sources said the deployment includes around 8,000 troops, with a pledge to send more if needed, as well as a Chinese HQ-9 air defence system.
One of the government sources, who has seen the text of the confidential defence pact, said it provides for the possibility of up to 80,000 Pakistani troops being deployed to Saudi Arabia, to help secure the kingdom's borders alongside Saudi forces.
As soon as the ceasefire was signed in the 40-day war, Pakistan indicated it could potentially deploy 80,000 troops to Saudi Arabia. They have already deployed 1-2 squadrons of JF-17s.
Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising if Türkiye undertook a similar initiative. Yesterday, Hakan Fidan emphasized this precisely. If Saudi Arabia expects support from its partners in the event of an attack, that support will not go unreciprocated. If the same call comes from Türkiye and Pakistan, other countries will provide support.
You cannot create deterrence against your enemies without an agreement that will be implemented like Article 5 of NATO. At its core, this requires believing that the agreement will be activated when you need help; and your enemies must see this belief reflected in defense purchases/technology sharing, the establishment of permanent bases, and military exercises.
If this agreement remains only on paper, as you say, you cannot intimidate anyone (neither Iran nor Israel).