{"id":31848,"date":"2025-09-30T03:29:46","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T00:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=31848"},"modified":"2025-09-30T04:14:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T01:14:26","slug":"turkiye-and-egypt-conduct-first-joint-naval-exercise-in-13-years-in-eastern-mediterranean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/turkiye-and-egypt-conduct-first-joint-naval-exercise-in-13-years-in-eastern-mediterranean\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkiye and Egypt conduct first joint naval exercise in 13 years in Eastern Mediterranean"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>5 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Turkiye and Egypt staged their first joint naval exercise in more than a decade, marking a development in cautious rapprochement between the two regional powers after years of political hostility. The exercise, dubbed Sea of Friendship-2025 (Bahr El Sadaka), took place in the Eastern Mediterranean.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the Turkish Navy, the drills were observed by Turkish Fleet Commander Adm. Kadir Yildiz and Egyptian Navy Chief of Staff Rear Adm Mohamed Hassan El-Sherbeny. The last time the two countries held such an exercise was in 2012, before relations deteriorated following the overthrow of Egypt\u2019s government in 2013, which froze defense cooperation for more than a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The naval drill marks a major milestone in the normalization of ties. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan\u2019s February 2024 visit to Cairo, his first in 12 years, paved the way for renewed dialogue in politics, economics, and security. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has since described Turkish\u2013Egyptian relations as being at their \u201cbest levels in modern history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Retired Rear Adm. Cem Okyay described the resumption of naval drills as both symbolic and practical. He noted that while Turkish and Egyptian ships have long operated in the same waters, exercising together after a 13-year hiatus demonstrates \u201ca new diplomatic opening spearheaded by the navies themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p lang=\"tr\" dir=\"ltr\">T\u00fcrkiye&#39;nin ev sahipli\u011finde icra edilen Dostluk Denizi-2025 (Bahr El Sadaka) Tatbikat\u0131 kapsam\u0131nda, \ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf7T\u00fcrk Deniz Kuvvetleri ve \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddecM\u0131s\u0131r Deniz Kuvvetleri unsurlar\u0131yla ortak e\u011fitimler ba\u015far\u0131yla tamamland\u0131.<br><br>Tatbikat, T\u00fcrkiye-M\u0131s\u0131r ikili ili\u015fkilerinin geli\u015ftirilmesi ve kar\u015f\u0131l\u0131kl\u0131\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XAYUl0jDQc\">pic.twitter.com\/XAYUl0jDQc<\/a><\/p>&mdash; MaviVatan.net (@mavivatannet) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mavivatannet\/status\/1971273716865659269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 25, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Okyay also pointed to broader opportunities in defense industry cooperation, modernization projects, and humanitarian missions, stressing that the rapprochement extends beyond a single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Turkish Defense Ministry said the drill aimed to \u201cdevelop bilateral relations and enhance joint interoperability.\u201d Turkiye participated with the frigates TCG Orucreis and TCG Gediz, the fast attack boats TCG Imbat and TCG Bora, the submarine TCG Gur, and two F-16 fighter jets. Egypt contributed naval units, including the ENS Tahya Misr and ENS Fouad Zekry, which visited the Turkish port of Aksaz during the exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A \u201cDistinguished Observers\u2019 Day\u201d was held on September 25, at the start of the drills, and was attended by Turkish Naval Forces Commander Adm. Ercument Tatlioglu and his Egyptian counterpart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><br>Defense Industry Cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Military cooperation between the two countries has extended beyond naval maneuvers. In August, Turkey\u2019s Havelsan defense technology company and Egypt\u2019s Arab Organization for Industrialization signed an agreement for the joint production of vertical take-off and landing drones (VTOL-UAVs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turkiye\u2019s ambassador to Cairo, Salih Mutlu, called the agreement a \u201cmilestone\u201d and a \u201cnew chapter in enhancing cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkish-Navy-ship-exercise.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkish-Navy-ship-exercise-1024x597.jpg?resize=1016%2C592&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Turkish Navy's ship during Turkiye-Egypt Friendship Sea-2025 (Bahr El Sadaka) naval exercise\" class=\"wp-image-31852\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkish-Navy-ship-exercise.jpg?resize=1024%2C597&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkish-Navy-ship-exercise.jpg?resize=300%2C175&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkish-Navy-ship-exercise.jpg?resize=768%2C448&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkish-Navy-ship-exercise.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Turkish Navy&#8217;s ship during Turkiye-Egypt Friendship Sea-2025 (Bahr El Sadaka) naval exercise. (Image Credit: X\/@savtekdergi)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The resumption of drills brings together two of the region\u2019s strongest naval powers. According to the global ranking site WDMMW, Turkey\u2019s navy is ranked 10th in the world, while Egypt\u2019s is ranked 13th, making it the most powerful navy in the Arab world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><br>The Egyptian Navy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Egypt\u2019s navy is tasked with defending over 2,000 kilometers of coastline along the Mediterranean and Red Seas, as well as securing the vital Suez Canal. Its arsenal consists of more than 100 platforms, including two helicopter carriers, eight submarines, 13 frigates, seven corvettes, and 48 patrol vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key assets include two French-built Mistral-class helicopter carriers, ENS Gamal Abdel Nasser and ENS Anwar El Sadat. Each ship can carry up to 16 heavy attack helicopters or 35 light helicopters, in addition to dozens of combat vehicles. Egypt\u2019s frigate fleet features advanced Italian and German designs, such as the Bergamini-class and the stealth Meko A-200, the latter also being locally manufactured in Alexandria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Egypt\u2019s underwater capabilities rely on German-built Type 209\/1400 submarines, valued for their stealth and versatility. These vessels are equipped with eight torpedo tubes capable of launching torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and deploying naval mines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"tr\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f 22-26 Eyl\u00fcl 2025 <br><br>Dostluk Denizi\u2019nde i\u015f birli\u011fi, Mavi Vatan\u2019da g\u00fc\u00e7 birli\u011fi! \ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf7\ud83e\udd1d\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddec <br><br>T\u00fcrkiye-M\u0131s\u0131r Dostluk Denizi-2025 (Bahr El Sadaka) Tatbikat\u0131, Aksaz\/Mu\u011fla\u2019da icra ediliyor.<br><br>Tatbikat, iki \u00fclke aras\u0131ndaki dostlu\u011fu ve kar\u015f\u0131l\u0131kl\u0131 \u00e7al\u0131\u015fabilirli\u011fi g\u00fc\u00e7lendirmeyi hedefliyor.\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MxKusITC2V\">pic.twitter.com\/MxKusITC2V<\/a><\/p>&mdash; T.C. Mill\u00ee Savunma Bakanl\u0131\u011f\u0131 (@tcsavunma) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/tcsavunma\/status\/1970133366990156260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 22, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong><br>The Turkish Navy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turkiye\u2019s naval modernization is closely tied to its domestic defense industry. Ankara currently fields 90 naval platforms, including one helicopter carrier, 13 submarines, 17 frigates, and 34 patrol vessels. Its flagship is the TCG Anadolu, an amphibious assault ship commissioned in 2023 that doubles as a drone carrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The backbone of Turkiye\u2019s modernization drive is the MILGEM warship program, which recently produced the TCG Istanbul, a domestically built frigate equipped with Turkish-made weapons and systems such as the Atmaca anti-ship missile and the M\u0130DLAS vertical launching system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turkiye\u2019s submarine fleet is also being upgraded with six new Reis-class submarines, featuring air-independent propulsion systems. The first of these, the Piri Reis, entered service in 2024. By 2029, all six are expected to be operational, armed with domestically produced Akya torpedoes and Atmaca missiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Strategic Implications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the naval drills underline a significant thaw in relations, analysts caution that Turkiye and Egypt\u2019s broader strategic interests remain divergent, particularly in Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean\u2019s energy disputes. Nonetheless, the exercise signals that both countries are willing to manage differences through dialogue and limited cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By reopening channels for defense collaboration and pursuing joint industrial projects, Ankara and Cairo are taking steps to ensure that this latest phase of engagement is more durable than past attempts. Whether this momentum leads to lasting alignment or remains a tactical rapprochement will depend on how both capitals navigate their competing regional agendas.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkey-F-16-naval-exercise.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkey-F-16-naval-exercise-1024x680.jpg?resize=1016%2C675&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A Turkish F-16 fighter flies over naval ships during an naval exercise\" class=\"wp-image-31850\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkey-F-16-naval-exercise.jpg?resize=1024%2C680&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkey-F-16-naval-exercise.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkey-F-16-naval-exercise.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkey-F-16-naval-exercise.jpg?resize=1536%2C1020&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkey-F-16-naval-exercise.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkey-F-16-naval-exercise.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>A Turkish F-16 fighter flies over naval ships during an naval exercise on T\u00fcrkiye&#8217;s western coast on the Mediterranean Sea, on September 15, 2022. (Image Credit: AP\/via X\/@Defence_Turk)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Turkiye and Egypt staged their first joint naval exercise in more than a decade, marking a development in cautious rapprochement between the two regional powers after years of political hostility. The exercise, dubbed Sea of Friendship-2025 (Bahr El Sadaka), took place in the Eastern Mediterranean.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31851,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[38,44,1],"tags":[355,6,443,78,325,184,427,90,339,113,536,82,540,91],"class_list":["post-31848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-africa","category-middle-east","category-news","tag-africa","tag-defense","tag-drills","tag-egypt","tag-exercise","tag-maritime","tag-mediterranean","tag-navy","tag-north-africa","tag-security","tag-ships","tag-turkey","tag-turkiye","tag-warship"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Turkiye-Egypt-Friendship-Sea-2025-Exercise.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-8hG","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31848"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31863,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31848\/revisions\/31863"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}