Turkey Allegedly Sends Military Support to Pakistan Amid Escalation with India

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered Ankara’s support to help defuse rising tensions between Pakistan and India following deadly cross-border attacks in the disputed region of Kashmir during a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The call came after an escalation of violence along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border that divides India and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. The Pakistani military said at least 31 people were killed and 57 others injured in missile strikes and cross-border shelling from Indian forces. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs reported 13 fatalities and 59 injuries on its side, along with the death of an Indian soldier.

The Turkish Communications Directorate said Erdoğan expressed Turkey’s readiness to “do its utmost to prevent further escalation of tensions” between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. He also conveyed condolences for the victims of the Indian attack early on May 7 local time and reiterated Ankara’s “solidarity with Pakistan,” praising Islamabad’s “calm and measured approach.”

Yet, as tensions continue to escalate, Indian media accuses Turkey of  sending military aid to Pakistan:

In the past 48 hours, as military tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified, credible evidence has surfaced indicating that Turkey is providing military support to Pakistan. This includes the supply of drones and the recent movement of Turkish military assets to Pakistani territory—moves that have stirred alarm in New Delhi and beyond.

Turkish-Made Drones Used in Attacks on India

According to Indian defense officials, Pakistan deployed Turkish-manufactured Songar drones in a series of cross-border attacks targeting Indian military installations in Jammu, Punjab, and Gujarat. Between 300 and 400 of these drones were used in coordinated operations across 36 locations. Forensic analysis reportedly traced the wreckage of downed drones back to Asisguard, a Turkish defense firm that specializes in drone warfare systems.

This marks one of the first large-scale uses of armed drones by Pakistan against Indian territory and signals a significant escalation in unmanned aerial warfare in South Asia.

Turkish Military Aircraft and Naval Presence

Beyond the drone deployments, Turkish military logistics movements have been observed in recent weeks. A Turkish C-130 Hercules transport aircraft landed in Karachi on April 27, followed by the Turkish navy’s TCG Büyükada docking at Karachi Port on May 2. While Turkish authorities have downplayed these visits as routine naval cooperation, the timing amid heightened hostilities has drawn scrutiny from Indian intelligence sources.

India has voiced concern that these assets could be part of a covert logistical support framework for Pakistan’s ongoing operations.

Growing Defense Ties Between Ankara and Islamabad

Turkey and Pakistan have steadily deepened their defense and strategic ties over the past decade. Turkey is currently Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier, after China. The two countries collaborate on several defense initiatives, including the development of the KAAN 5th-generation fighter jet and the co-production of MILGEM-class corvettes.

Turkey has also supported Pakistan diplomatically on the Kashmir issue in several international forums. Analysts suggest that this pattern of support may now be extending to military operations, albeit in a limited and deniable fashion.

Global Reactions and Diplomatic Risks

The presence of a NATO member like Turkey in a bilateral South Asian conflict has triggered concern among global powers. On Saturday, the United States and G7 foreign ministers issued statements urging both India and Pakistan to de-escalate. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry voiced “deep concern” over the military build-up and warned against further escalation.

Indian officials are now calling for international scrutiny over Turkey’s role in supplying arms and potentially violating neutrality standards expected from NATO member states.

Broader Implications

Turkey’s military involvement—whether direct or indirect—has added a volatile layer to an already dangerous confrontation. With approximately one-fifth of the world’s population residing in India and Pakistan combined, the possibility of a full-scale war could have devastating regional and global consequences.

While Ankara has not officially commented on the military support allegations, the deployment of Turkish drones and defense assets to Pakistan signals Ankara’s evolving role as a power broker in conflicts beyond its traditional sphere.