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Turkiye’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, recently called for a joint security mechanism with regional states, particularly Egypt and ����ֱ��. He emphasized that security cooperation should be an equal priority for these countries alongside political and economic partnerships. Close security collaboration among these states was unthinkable a decade ago, but now — backed with a strong political will and shared security concerns — such cooperation has become not so much a choice as a necessity. 

Diplomatically, it is significant for the regional heavyweights to have political consensus on regional issues. Ankara, Riyadh, and Cairo are already in high-level diplomatic consultations regarding the situation in Gaza, and are working on Palestinian-focused initiatives. They are on the same page in regards to Israel’s growing aggression in the region, particularly after its attacks on Doha. The closing of ranks among these powers is significant to avoid the intervention of third parties, and could even serve as a locomotive for other regional countries to join their joint cooperation. Most importantly, a potential security cooperation between Turkiye, Egypt, and ����ֱ�� would be a game-changer that could shift the regional balance. 

It is evident that Turkiye wants to go beyond political cooperation with Egypt and ����ֱ��. For instance, for the first time in 13 years, Turkiye and Egypt will hold a joint naval drill, the Turkish Defense Ministry said. This exercise — dubbed Friendship Sea — will take place in the eastern Mediterranean, where both Ankara and Cairo have much at stake. The drill will include Turkish frigates, fast-attack vessels, a submarine, and F-16 fighter jets, alongside Egyptian naval units. Launching this exercise after more than a decade is a significant step toward military cooperation, given Turkish and Egyptian frustration with Israeli attacks. Israel has not only struck Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Qatar, but also sowed tension with Egypt and Jordan. Tel Aviv is also threatening Turkiye, both with its actions on the ground and through the rhetoric of its officials. 

Ankara is also cementing its ties with Riyadh

Dr. Sinem Cengiz

Turkiye is also cementing its ties with Riyadh — a development that is likely to have a tangible output. Turkish-Egyptian-Saudi security cooperation is essential because these regional powers have long diplomatic experience, established state traditions, and population and economic power. This collaboration can usher in a new era in regional alliances that can lead to the emergence of a deterrent bloc against Israel.

With its evident security and defense strength, Turkiye is the most credible non-Western partner for both Egypt and ����ֱ��. It has the second-largest army within NATO, and a growing defense industry through its Bayraktar TB2 drones. European states have also begun to show interest in Turkish drones, particularly due to the weapon’s outsized role in the Russia-Ukraine war, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and also in Syria. Almost all the Gulf states have added Bayraktar drones to their arsenals. This “drone diplomacy” has acted as a catalyst in improving Turkish-Gulf relations. 

Now, Egypt is reportedly on the verge of joining Turkiye’s strategic project to develop the TAI Kaan stealth fighter jet. If confirmed, this move will be more than just a military cooperation between two countries — it will be significant for the regional balance of power, heralding a new era in which regional states refuse to yield to the dictates of external powers. 

Israeli aggression is viewed as a major threat

Dr. Sinem Cengiz

The Kaan, a fifth-generation fighter jet, is among Turkiye’s most ambitious projects. Turkiye has been working on the project for more than a decade. The aircraft was publicly unveiled in 2023 before performing its maiden test flight a year later. ����ֱ�� has also expressed interest in buying Kaan fighter jets. With ����ֱ��, Turkiye’s military cooperation is at a more advanced level compared with Egypt. ����ֱ��n Armed Forces have taken part in a multinational military exercise in Turkiye. The Turkish government is also hoping to reach a $6 billion defense deal for the sale of warships, tanks, and missiles to the Kingdom.

There are both political and security reasons as to why Egypt and ����ֱ�� want to join Turkiye’s strategic Kaan project. After the Israeli attack on Doha, Riyadh wants to signal to the US that it has alternatives to boost its defense capabilities. Second, the countries are sharing a regional security vision to establish a new security environment, using their own unique powers. Turkiye has significant defense and military capabilities, which combined with ����ֱ��’s political and economic power, along with Egypt’s geopolitical significance, can make it a potential triangular powerhouse. 

We should remember that international relations scholar Stephen Walt’s balance of threat theory asserts that states tend to ally against their most threatening opponent. Ankara, Cairo, and Riyadh see the current developments in the region emanating from Israeli aggression as a major threat to their strategic objectives. Thus, a Turkish-Saudi-Egyptian partnership is significant in balancing the major threat in the region. As a result, we are likely to see more defense pacts and security cooperation among these powers in the region.

• Dr. Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz