Defence Pacts & Alliances

The Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement was signed in May 1954. This pact laid the foundation for decades of military cooperation between the two nations, providing Pakistan with high-tech American equipment such as F-86 Sabres and Patton tanks in exchange for cooperation in the Cold War containment of communism.

The Manila Pact created SEATO in September 1954. Pakistan joined primarily to bolster its defense against regional threats. While the organization was intended to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, Pakistan hoped it would provide security guarantees for its own borders.

Initially known as the Baghdad Pact, the alliance included Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, and the UK. After the 1958 revolution in Iraq and its subsequent withdrawal, the headquarters was moved from Baghdad to Ankara, Turkey, and the alliance was renamed CENTO in 1959.

Pakistan formally left SEATO in 1973. The withdrawal was prompted by the fact that the organization failed to provide any military assistance during the 1971 war and the reality that the geographic reason for membership—East Pakistan—was no longer part of the country.

Pakistan withdrew from the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in 1979 following the Iranian Revolution and a shift in regional dynamics. This move allowed Pakistan to join the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and pursue a more independent foreign policy during the final decade of the Cold War.

The 'All-Weather' friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's defense policy. Since the 1960s, this partnership has evolved into deep military cooperation, including the joint production of JF-17 aircraft, Al-Khalid tanks, and several naval vessels, ensuring a stable strategic balance in the region.

The US designated Pakistan as a Major Non-NATO Ally in June 2004 during the War on Terror. This status provides Pakistan with several benefits, including priority delivery of surplus defense articles, eligibility for training, and participation in certain defense R&D initiatives, although it does not include a mutual defense commitment.

Pakistan (along with India) joined the SCO as a full member in June 2017 during the Astana Summit. Membership in the SCO allows Pakistan to participate in regional counter-terrorism exercises and facilitates high-level security dialogue with Central Asian states, Russia, and China.

General (Retd) Raheel Sharif was appointed to lead the 41-nation IMCTC, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2017. His appointment underscored Pakistan's leading role in the Muslim world's collective security and counter-terrorism efforts.

Exercise 'Aman' (meaning Peace) is a flagship naval initiative of Pakistan. It brings together dozens of navies from the East and West—including the US, Russia, China, and the UK—under the motto 'Together for Peace' to enhance interoperability against maritime threats like piracy and terrorism.

The defense partnership between Pakistan and Turkey has grown exponentially, focusing on technology transfer. Key projects include the Milgem-class corvettes (Babur class) and the T129 ATAK helicopters. Both nations frequently conduct the 'Atatürk' joint special forces exercises.

While often categorized as an environmental or resource treaty, the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) is a critical pillar of regional stability. Water security is a core component of Pakistan's national security doctrine, and the treaty provides a mechanism to prevent water-related conflicts between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Following the lifting of a Russian arms embargo on Pakistan in 2014, the two countries have moved toward closer defense ties. The 'Druzhba' exercises started in 2016 and have continued through 2024-2025, focusing on counter-terrorism and mountain warfare, signaling a 'thaw' in Cold War-era rivalries.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a unique and deep-rooted defense relationship. Under various protocols, Pakistani troops have historically been stationed in the Kingdom for training and internal security assistance. Pakistan remains committed to the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding the protection of the Two Holy Mosques.

Established by Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey, the RCD was aimed at regional socio-economic development. It was dissolved in 1979 and later revived in 1985 as the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which now includes Central Asian states and focuses on regional connectivity and security.

The National Command Authority (NCA) is the apex body chaired by the Prime Minister. It oversees the deployment, management, and development of Pakistan's strategic assets and makes final decisions on the country's strategic posture and high-level defense alliances.

Nasim Al Bahr (Sea Breeze) is a long-standing bilateral naval exercise between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman. It focuses on maritime security, anti-piracy operations, and mine-countermeasures, reflecting the strategic importance of the Gulf of Oman to Pakistan's maritime interests.

Islamabad successfully hosted the 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in October 2024. The summit was a major diplomatic success for Pakistan, emphasizing regional security, CPEC integration into the SCO framework, and collective economic resilience.

While DEPO has existed for years, the SIFC (established in 2023) introduced a specialized focus on defense production as a key investment sector. It seeks to form joint ventures with allied nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar to modernize Pakistan's defense industries and increase foreign exchange through exports.

While the UN is the body, Pakistan's allies within the OIC and the Commonwealth provided significant diplomatic support for its claim. This extension added 50,000 sq km of maritime territory to Pakistan, which is now a focus of 'Blue Economy' defense alliances with China.