Erdogan’s Drone Factory in Pakistan: A New Strategic Shockwave for India

Turkey has taken a bold step in South Asia. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that Turkey will build a full combat drone production plant inside Pakistan. The site sits only a few hundred kilometres from the Indian border and will produce and test Turkey’s advanced UCAVs, including the Bayraktar TB2 Mk-II and the new Akinci stealth platform.

This move shifts Turkey’s role from seller to long-term partner. Instead of exporting finished drones, Turkey will move engineers, tools, and sensitive technology into Pakistan. The project gives Pakistan its own industrial base for modern drones, with fewer foreign restrictions and no need for U.S. approval.

Why this matters for India

The plant’s location changes the tactical picture for India. Any drone launched from Pakistan will reach Indian airspace faster, and India’s radars will have less reaction time. It also gives Pakistan home-grown production, from airframes to software systems. For years, India held a clear advantage with its DRDO projects like Rustom and Netra. That gap now narrows.

The partnership also gives Pakistan more freedom in defence procurement. U.S. export controls once limited the type of drones Pakistan could buy. Now those limits weaken. India can no longer rely on its ties with Washington to slow down Pakistan’s drone programme.

Turkey’s plan goes beyond Pakistan. Ankara wants this factory to become a supply hub for nearby markets. That includes Afghanistan and countries in Central Asia. If Turkish-Pakistani drones begin flying in those regions, India will see a shift in the balance of power around its borders.

In short, the factory forces India to rethink its drone strategy, air-defence setup, and diplomacy with key partners.

Why Turkey is doing this

Turkey’s defence industry has grown fast over the last decade. Its drones have been used in several conflicts and are cheaper than many Western systems. By building in Pakistan, Turkey gains a real foothold in South Asia. It opens doors for joint exercises, new deals, and a wider political presence.

The plant also gives Turkey access to markets that normally avoid direct defence ties due to Western pressure. Local production makes Turkish drones cheaper to build and easier to sell, which boosts Ankara’s position in the global UAV market.

What could happen next

This deal could trigger a chain reaction in the region.

Afghanistan may buy surveillance drones once production ramps up. The Taliban government needs eyes in the sky for its internal security and border monitoring.

Central Asian states like Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan may also turn to the Pakistani plant for affordable drones. Many of these countries are cautious about Western suppliers, so a Turkish-Pakistani option fits their policies.

India will likely push its own drone projects faster. That includes stealth drones, high-altitude systems, and new roles for existing fighters like the Tejas. India may also deepen cooperation with Israel, France, or Japan to stay ahead.

What India should consider

India’s best response is a mix of technology, air-defence upgrades, and diplomacy.

It needs quicker development of home-grown UAVs, stronger radar coverage near the Pakistan border, and better electronic-warfare tools to detect and jam low-visibility drones. India should also raise concerns with the United States and NATO about unchecked drone proliferation in the region.

At the same time, India can strengthen ties with nearby countries like Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives. Joint training and shared surveillance could help balance Pakistan’s growing drone reach.

Turkey’s decision to build drones in Pakistan marks a turning point. It is no longer a simple defence sale. It reshapes power dynamics in South Asia and pushes India into a new phase of strategic competition. The skies above the region are set to become more crowded, more contested, and far more important in the coming years.