ANKARA, TÜRKİYE September 20, 2025 — In a landmark development signalling a warming of diplomatic relations, Türkiye and Egypt are scheduled to carry out a joint naval exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean before the end of the month. The upcoming drill marks the first military collaboration of its kind between the two nations in 13 years, and is widely viewed as a strategic step toward reinforcing bilateral cooperation and enhancing military interoperability.
According to defence officials in Ankara and Cairo, the planned naval exercise will involve coordinated manoeuvres, tactical training, and joint operational planning aimed at improving mutual readiness and maritime coordination. The move comes after years of strained relations and geopolitical tension, particularly over issues relating to the Mediterranean energy corridor and political developments in the Arab world.
This military engagement is part of a broader diplomatic reset initiated by both countries over the past two years, including ambassadorial reappointments, high-level state visits, and the reactivation of economic and security cooperation channels. Analysts believe the renewed military ties could have far-reaching implications for regional stability, especially given the complex security dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean — a hotspot for maritime disputes, energy exploration, and migration routes.
Regional observers have hailed the joint exercise as a significant confidence-building measure that may also pave the way for broader multilateral collaborations involving other Mediterranean nations.
As Türkiye and Egypt reposition themselves in an increasingly multipolar regional order, the naval drill represents not just a display of maritime strength, but also a clear signal of evolving diplomatic alignment between two of the region’s most influential powers.
