Türkiye, Egypt hold Distinguished Observer Day of joint naval exercise

MUGLA, Türkiye

Distinguished Observer Day of the Türkiye-Egypt Friendship Sea-2025 (Bahr El Sadaka) naval exercise was held Thursday at the Aksaz Naval Base in Mugla, southwestern Türkiye.

The exercise, carried out under the motto “Cooperation in the sea of friendship, unity of strength in the blue homeland,” featured a series of joint operational activities by the Turkish and Egyptian navies.

Speaking at a press briefing aboard the Turkish frigate TCG Orucreis, Turkish Navy Col. Ahmet Kacar said the drill is a bilateral, live exercise done with the Egyptian Navy.

Kacar stressed that the exercise aims to ensure interoperability between the Turkish and Egyptian naval forces and strengthen military cooperation. “The aim is to test surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and air defense warfare tactics while enhancing mutual training and cooperation in these fields,” he said.

During the port phase of the drill on Monday and Tuesday, special forces training, cyber defense sessions, and discussions on the use of artificial intelligence as well as unmanned aerial and naval systems in maritime operations were carried out, Kacar said.

Distinguished Observer Day

Distinguished Observer Day began with a salute by Turkish Naval Forces Commander Adm. Kadir Yildiz and Egyptian Navy Chief of Staff Rear Adm. Mohamed Hassan El-Sherbeny from aboard the Orucreis frigate.

As part of the scenario-based training in the Mediterranean, Turkish military personnel boarded a ship via rope from a helicopter following a report from the Egyptian frigate ENS Tahya, while Egyptian troops carried out a sea landing.

After successfully completing the mission, personnel from both countries unfurled the flags of Türkiye and Egypt together on deck.

In another exercise, a mail bag transfer was carried out between two ships sailing at constant speed side by side, successfully completing the logistical training.

The day concluded with a salute and ceremonial passage by the participating naval and air elements.

The drill marks the first joint exercise by the two countries’ armed forces in the Mediterranean in 13 years.