Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Commander of the Turkish Air Force, General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, has paid an official visit to Egypt in a move reflecting the continuing normalization and expansion of defense cooperation between Ankara and Cairo.
During his trip, General Kadıoğlu met with his Egyptian counterpart, Major General Amr Abdel Rahman Saqr, Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, for high-level discussions focused on military coordination and areas of mutual interest. The talks are understood to have addressed prospects for enhanced technical collaboration, training exchanges, and broader defense engagement between the two regional powers.
The visit marks another step in the gradual restoration of relations between Turkey and Egypt, following years of political tension. Since 2023, both countries have accelerated diplomatic and security contacts, culminating in reciprocal high-level visits and renewed cooperation frameworks. Defense and military channels have emerged as a particularly important pillar of this rapprochement, reflecting shared concerns over regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East.
As part of his itinerary, General Kadıoğlu inspected facilities at West Cairo Air Base, one of Egypt’s strategic air installations. The tour included briefings on operational capabilities, training infrastructure, and logistical systems, offering an opportunity for direct assessment and exchange of expertise between the two air forces.
Military analysts view the visit as symbolically significant. Air force cooperation often serves as a gateway to deeper strategic engagement, including joint exercises, modernization programs, and interoperability planning. Both Turkey and Egypt operate advanced and diverse air fleets, and technical dialogue between the two sides could pave the way for future coordinated activities.
While no specific agreements were publicly announced, the visit underscores a broader trajectory of rebuilding trust and institutional communication between Ankara and Cairo, a development that could carry implications for regional security alignments in the months ahead.
