Turkiye and Egypt to stage first joint naval drills in 13 years 

19/09/2025 : Turkiye’s Defense Ministry announced Thursday that Ankara and Cairo will conduct joint naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean later this month, marking the first such drills in over a decade.

The maneuvers, named Friendship Sea, are scheduled for 22–26 September and will involve Turkish frigates, fast attack craft, a submarine, and F-16 fighter jets alongside Egyptian naval units.

Both navies’ top commanders are set to attend an observer day on 25 September, a move highlighting the significance of the exercise after years of strained ties.

Relations between the two powers broke down following Egypt’s 2013 coup that removed president Mohammed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood figure backed by Ankara. The Brotherhood was later banned in Egypt.

(AP)