According to a source, Turkey is negotiating the assembly of combat drones in Pakistan.

As part of Ankara’s efforts to expand its rapidly expanding defense industry into new markets, Turkiye is in advanced talks to set up a plant in Pakistan to assemble Turkish-made combat drones, according to Bloomberg, which cited Turkish sources familiar with the negotiations.

The initiative would entail shipping long-range and stealth drone platforms from Turkey to Pakistan for assembly, according to the article.

Since October, the talks have advanced significantly, according to the officials. The possible collaboration coincides with an increase in exports from Turkiye’s aerospace and defense sectors.

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Pakistan and Turkey already have strong defense relations. Ankara now wants to include Pakistan in its KAAN fifth-generation fighter-jet development, Turkish sources told Bloomberg.