ISLAMABAD/ANKARA: Pakistan and Turkey signed a landmark defence cooperation agreement Wednesday under which Turkey will provide Pakistan with 34 ‘T-37 fighter cum training aircraft and its spare parts on a gratis basis.’

The agreement was signed after the conclusion of the 11th Meeting of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Military Dialogue Group (HLMDG) in Ankara.

From Pakistan's side, the agreement was signed by Director General Defence Procurement Major General Naveed Ahmed while from the Turkish side, Chief of Logistics Major General Serdar Gulbas signed the documents.

A joint communiqué from both Pakistan and Turkey was signed by Defence Secretary Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Alam Khattak and Gen Yasar GULER, Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff.

Defence Ministry spokesman Narita Farhan told media that the T-37 is a jet trainer light combat aircraft and Turkey, on Pakistan’s desire, extended a fleet of 34 aircraft along with spare parts to Pakistan.

Defence Secretary Lt. Gen (Retd) Muhammad Alam Khattak during the visit highlighted Pakistan’s defence capability and its relevance in the current global scenario.

Khattak said both working groups did considerable work to review progress on decisions taken in the last HLMDG meeting as well as deciding on the new agenda related to security issues and defence cooperation.

The secretary defence expressed desire to further expand cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries, from strategic to joint venture levels.

He said the HLMDG meeting proved very successful and expressed satisfaction over the unanimity of views on the subjects negotiated.

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