Turkish Undersecretary for Defense Murad Bayar has reiterated his country's readiness to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in all fields of military production, Anadolu Agency reported.
"Within the last decade, Turkey has reduced dependence on foreign countries regarding defense production. Pakistan has done the same," Bayar said at a Wednesday steel-cutting ceremony for a 17,000-ton fleet tanker being built by Turkish company STM Turkey.
"Therefore, it's high time for both countries to mutually enhance cooperation in the defense production sector," he added.
The fleet tanker will be built in a Karachi shipyard by Engineering Works, a state-owned Pakistani defense manufacturing firm, with technical and engineering assistance from the Turkish company.
The ship will provide logistical support to Pakistan's navy through the transfer of liquid and dry cargo.
Bayar asserted that both heavyweight countries had the potential to bolster mutual cooperation in the defense production field.
"We are linked by common history, religion and geography," he noted. "Both countries are actively working to promote peace and stability in their respective regions."
Bayar went on to say that the Turkish and Pakistani navies could both benefit from each other's experiences.The two countries, he noted, were already working together on the development of military communications systems for Pakistan's armed forces, the modification of fighter jets, electronic warfare, and the construction of high-speed patrol boats for Pakistan's navy.