Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a landmark moment for regional military diplomacy, Türkiye and Egypt held their first bilateral naval exercise in 13 years this week, signaling a significant thaw in relations between the two Mediterranean powers. The joint drill, titled Türkiye–Egypt Friendship Sea-2025 (Bahr El Sadaka), culminated on Thursday with a high-profile display of naval capabilities off the coast of Marmaris in southwestern Türkiye.
The exercise, which unfolded in phases over several days, brought together surface vessels, helicopters, special forces, and high-level naval leadership from both nations. The final day, known as the “Distinguished Observer Day,” was attended by Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Kadir Yıldız and Egyptian Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Mohamed Hassan El-Sherbeny aboard the Turkish frigate TCG Oruçreis.
Speaking during the exercise, Turkish Naval Colonel Ahmet Kaçar emphasized the significance of the event. “This is a bilateral, live naval exercise, the first of its kind between the Turkish and Egyptian navies in more than a decade,” he said. “The objective is to ensure operational interoperability and to strengthen military cooperation between our two forces.”
Building Bridges Through Maritime Strategy
The drill represents a remarkable step forward in Türkiye-Egypt relations, which have been strained since 2013 following political upheaval in Cairo. In recent years, however, both countries have signaled a willingness to recalibrate their relationship, recognizing mutual strategic interests in regional stability, energy security, and maritime defense.
The exercise focused on a broad spectrum of naval warfare scenarios, including surface warfare, anti-submarine operations, and air defense strategies. According to military officials, these simulations were designed not only to test capabilities but also to foster deeper operational coordination between the two navies.
“The goal is to enhance mutual training and to improve coordination across multiple mission types, from conventional threats to more complex, asymmetric challenges,” Kaçar noted.
Advanced Training and Technology Integration
The port phase of the drill, conducted on September 22–23 at Aksaz Naval Base, featured joint workshops and sessions on critical areas of modern naval warfare. Topics included underwater offensive operations (SAT training), cyber defense protocols, artificial intelligence applications, and the deployment of unmanned aerial and sea vehicles in maritime scenarios, a growing focus in 21st-century naval strategy.
In the subsequent sea phase, held over the past two days, Turkish and Egyptian crews engaged in live-action training exercises. These included coordinated responses to asymmetric maritime threats, formation navigation, live-fire scenarios, and joint boarding operations.
Symbolic Demonstrations of Cooperation
Thursday’s Distinguished Observer Day was rich in symbolism. As part of a tactical simulation, Turkish special forces descended from a helicopter by rope onto the deck of the Egyptian frigate ENS Tahya Misr, successfully securing the vessel as part of a joint boarding operation. In parallel, Egyptian naval commandos executed a textbook seaborne boarding maneuver onto a Turkish ship. Both teams completed their missions before hoisting their respective national flags in a gesture of solidarity.
Another key feature of the demonstration was an at-sea replenishment drill, a complex maneuver involving two ships maintaining a steady course and speed while transferring supplies between them. The exercise was executed with precision, highlighting the professionalism and preparedness of both navies.
The day concluded with a naval and aerial parade featuring participating vessels and aircraft, offering a visual affirmation of the countries’ renewed military rapport.
A Signal to the Region
While officials from both sides avoided direct political commentary, the optics of the joint exercise suggest a recalibration of strategic ties between Ankara and Cairo. In a region marked by shifting alliances and increasing maritime competition particularly over energy exploration and security in the Eastern Mediterranean the Türkiye–Egypt drill could have implications beyond defense cooperation.
Analysts see the move as part of a broader realignment in the region, where pragmatic diplomacy is gradually replacing past rivalries. With Türkiye and Egypt possessing two of the largest and most capable militaries in the Muslim world, closer cooperation could reshape the balance of power across the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Though more work remains to solidify long-term trust, the successful completion of Friendship Sea-2025 represents a notable step forward not only in military terms, but as a symbol of diplomatic intent.
