Spike in Turkish military flights to Pakistan raises concerns over possible weapons transfers NEW DELHI: An unusual increase in Turkish military transport flights to Pakistan in the last few days has raised hackles in Indian defence circles.Open-source flight trackers noted a 60-hour surge of Turkish military transport flights, including Turkish C-130 Hercules and A400M aircraft (such as one with call sign TUAF526), landing at Pakistani air bases like Nur Khan, Masroor, and Murid between August 19 and 21.There is speculation in defence circles that the flights may have carried Turkish military hardware, including unmanned aerial systems (drones) and air-defence equipment like Baykar (next-generation kamikaze UAV K2) and Asisguard systems (drone systems) to Pakistan. The aircraft movements were seen soon after after the signing of the tripartite Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia on Aug 7. The agreement establishes a collective defence pact, stating that an armed attack against any one of the three member states will be considered an attack against all of them.However, neither Pakistan nor Turkey has officially confirmed the precise nature or cargo of these transport operations.With Turkish aircraft landing in Pakistan, questions are being raised in defence circles whether Pakistan is gearing up for another conflict with India.Before Operation Sindoor in May last year, China and Turkey had allegedly supplied Pakistan with advanced military hardware, including Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles and HQ-9 air defence systems, and Turkish-origin Bayraktar (Yiha) and Asisguard Songar kamikaze drones. They also provided real-time battlefield data and tactical support.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDuring the four-day conflict last year, the Indian armed forces tackled these attacks using their multilayered air defence grid and integrated command and control strategy, successfully intercepting all incoming aerial threats before reaching critical military or civilian infrastructure.The Indian forces deployed indigenous technology and advanced anti-access frameworks to crush the Pakistan defence network and also thwarted its offensive attacks. The IAF used long-range capabilities of Russian-acquired S-400 Triumf air defence system and indigenous Akash-NG missiles to thwart missile and UAV attacks. The IAF also used the S-400 to shoot down a high-value Pakistani Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C surveillance aircraft from around 314 km away — which stands as one of the longest-range combat surface-to-air missile engagements in military history.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes $103,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration BlowJaishankar Meets Putin In Moscow, India-Russia Trade Soars As Both Sides Target $100 Billion By 2030Fresh Kashmiri Pandit Threat: Hit List Reveals Addresses, Phone Numbers, Vehicle Details OnlineDelhi-NCR Rain Fury: Gurugram Under Orange Alert, Work From Home Advisory Issued For August 25’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha123PhotostoriesSreeleela’s fish-cut saree just gave traditional draping a seriously savage upgrade10 beautiful baby girl names that capture a sense of wonderOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals the weak spot in your love lifePriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash
NEW DELHI: An unusual increase in Turkish military transport flights to Pakistan in the last few days has raised hackles in Indian defence circles.Open-source flight trackers noted a 60-hour surge of Turkish military transport flights, including Turkish C-130 Hercules and A400M aircraft (such as one with call sign TUAF526), landing at Pakistani air bases like Nur Khan, Masroor, and Murid between August 19 and 21.There is speculation in defence circles that the flights may have carried Turkish military hardware, including unmanned aerial systems (drones) and air-defence equipment like Baykar (next-generation kamikaze UAV K2) and Asisguard systems (drone systems) to Pakistan. The aircraft movements were seen soon after after the signing of the tripartite Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia on Aug 7. The agreement establishes a collective defence pact, stating that an armed attack against any one of the three member states will be considered an attack against all of them.However, neither Pakistan nor Turkey has officially confirmed the precise nature or cargo of these transport operations.With Turkish aircraft landing in Pakistan, questions are being raised in defence circles whether Pakistan is gearing up for another conflict with India.Before Operation Sindoor in May last year, China and Turkey had allegedly supplied Pakistan with advanced military hardware, including Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles and HQ-9 air defence systems, and Turkish-origin Bayraktar (Yiha) and Asisguard Songar kamikaze drones. They also provided real-time battlefield data and tactical support.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
During the four-day conflict last year, the Indian armed forces tackled these attacks using their multilayered air defence grid and integrated command and control strategy, successfully intercepting all incoming aerial threats before reaching critical military or civilian infrastructure.The Indian forces deployed indigenous technology and advanced anti-access frameworks to crush the Pakistan defence network and also thwarted its offensive attacks. The IAF used long-range capabilities of Russian-acquired S-400 Triumf air defence system and indigenous Akash-NG missiles to thwart missile and UAV attacks. The IAF also used the S-400 to shoot down a high-value Pakistani Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C surveillance aircraft from around 314 km away — which stands as one of the longest-range combat surface-to-air missile engagements in military history.
