Türkiye and Egypt to Conduct First Joint Naval Drills in 13 Years

Türkiye and Egypt will conduct joint naval drills for the first time in 13 years, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced on September 18, as relations between the two countries continue to strengthen.

The exercises - dubbed Friendship Sea - will take place in the eastern Mediterranean between Sept. 22-26. They will include Turkish frigates, fast attack vessels, a submarine and F-16 fighter jets, alongside Egyptian naval units, the ministry said, The Caspian Post reports citing Turkish media.

The two navies’ top commanders are expected to attend a high-level observer day on Sept. 25, it added, underscoring the importance of the exercise after more than a decade of strained ties.

Relations between Türkiye and Egypt soured a decade ago following the latter's 2023 military coup that ousted President Mohammed Morsi during mass protests.

Ties between Ankara and Cairo were also strained over their diverging policies on Libya and the eastern Mediterranean.

The two countries agreed to repair relations and reappoint ambassadors in 2023, and there have been several visits between Turkish and Egyptian leaders and officials since then.