The newly established defense partnership between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is already showing signs of evolving beyond its original three-member format, raising questions over what kind of security architecture could emerge across the Muslim world, and whether Azerbaijan could eventually become part of it. Pakistan has said that six or seven Muslim-majority countries have expressed interest in joining the Mecca Defense Agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on August 7. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has similarly indicated that the pact, officially referred to as the Mecca Defense Alliance, is open to expansion.
Speaking after the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee under the agreement in Istanbul, Fidan said Türkiye was working on a roadmap for additional members. He also stressed that the alliance "does not nullify or replace our country's obligations arising from NATO, as well as from other alliances and agreements," while arguing that the mechanism could bring "greater stability and reduce uncertainty" to the region. Bangladesh has publicly expressed interest, while Türkiye has also suggested that Egypt could potentially become part of the emerging structure.
The alliance's potential expansion raises a particularly important question for Azerbaijan. Baku already maintains close defense ties with all three founding members, while its domestic defense industry has developed rapidly in recent years, particularly in unmanned systems, ammunition, electronic warfare and military modernization. Could that make Azerbaijan more than simply another potential member, and instead a contributor to the alliance's emerging defense-industrial architecture?
Speaking to AzerNEWS, former military attaché and retired General Yücel Karauz believes Azerbaijan is among the strongest candidates for closer integration, although he sees full membership as a longer-term possibility. Asked how likely Azerbaijan is to join the Mecca Defense Alliance, Karauz said: "I consider Azerbaijan to be one of the strongest candidates among potential members. However, in the short term, a close partnership, defense industry cooperation, or a phased integration model before full membership seems more realistic.
Azerbaijan’s developing defense relations with both Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia create a favorable environment for this. In particular, Turkish-Azerbaijani defense industry cooperation is already expanding to UAVs, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, communications, and other high-tech areas. If Azerbaijan joins this alliance, its role should not be limited to being only an arms buyer.
Baku could become one of the production and technology centers of the new defense industry supply chain. Such a model could be formed: Türkiye’s engineering and systems integration + Saudi Arabia’s financial and investment capabilities + Pakistan’s military production and aviation experience + Azerbaijan’s UAVs, ammunition, electronic systems, modernization, and Caucasus-Central Asia connectivity. This could create new markets, joint production opportunities, and technology transfer for Azerbaijan’s rapidly developing domestic defense industry." Yet Karauz cautioned that Baku's decision would not be determined by industrial considerations alone.
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