20.05.2026 11:20
EFES-2026, one of the largest combined and joint exercises of the Turkish Armed Forces, continues with broad participation in Izmir. The Ministry of National Defense announced that domestic and national defense industry products are being used in the field for the first time in the exercise, which involves over 10,000 personnel from 50 countries, while artificial intelligence-supported systems and next-generation weapon technologies also drew attention.
EFES-2026 Exercise, one of the most comprehensive combined and joint exercises of the Turkish Armed Forces, continues with broad participation in Izmir. The Ministry of National Defense announced that domestic and national defense industry products are being used actively in the field for the first time during the exercise, while the operational capability of the Turkish army is displayed in the organization, which includes over 10,000 personnel from 50 countries.
The Ministry of National Defense held a press conference in Seferihisar district of Izmir on the occasion of the Distinguished Observer Day of the Efes-2026 Exercise.
Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, starting by celebrating May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, stated the following:
"Dear Media Members; Our Turkish Armed Forces continue their exercise activities without interruption in order to increase the level of interoperability with friendly and allied countries, improve coordination capabilities, and contribute to regional security.
In this context; the EFES-2026 Exercise is being conducted under the hosting of our country, the command and control of our Aegean Army Command, with the participation of friendly and allied country elements, in two phases: Computer-Assisted Command Post Exercise between April 11-17, and Live Fire Field Phase between April 20-May 21, in Izmir Bay and Doganbey Live Fire Exercise Area.
EFES-2026, one of the largest combined and joint exercises of our Turkish Armed Forces, involves over 10,000 personnel, including observers, units, and elements from 50 countries, along with our national elements.
The purpose of the EFES-2026 Exercise is, in combined and joint operations:
- To improve interoperability in planning, coordination, and execution,
- To test command-control procedures, electronic warfare tactics and techniques,
- To implement procedures for the joint use of war weapons and vehicles in the inventories of participating countries,
- To develop planning and execution principles for logistical support,
- To establish a common cybersecurity understanding,
- To increase capabilities in countering asymmetric threats and conducting hybrid operations.
In the EFES Exercise, our high-tech weapon systems developed in line with the goal of a fully independent defense industry under the leadership of our President are also being used successfully.
In this context, our Turkish Armed Forces,
In its inventory;
- GÖKBEY helicopter,
- M-60 T1 Tank,
- Panter and Boran howitzers,
- TRLG-230 and Sungur missiles,
- Tayfun, Hisar-A and Hisar-O Air Defense missile systems,
- KORKUT Air Defense Weapon Systems,
- 35 mm Modern Towed Gun,
- Kalkan Air Defense Radar,
- Ihtar Anti-UAV System,
- Armored Tactical Vehicle Remote Controlled Weapon System (ATV-RCWS),
- KARAOK Anti-Tank Weapon,
- UMTAS Anti-Tank Missile,
- Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Armored Sensor Reconnaissance, Radar, Command, and CBRN Vehicles,
- SARP Turreted Improved Armored Personnel Carrier,
- KARAYEL RIB Boat,
- Mechanical Mine Clearance Equipment (MEMATT),
- Vehicle-Mounted Mine/IED Detection System (VMMIDS),
- ALKAR 120 mm Mortar Weapon System,
- GEZGIN Satellite Terminal,
- Fire Support and Direction (FSD) Systems,
- TARAS-II Radiolink System,
- Electronic Circuit IED Detection and Neutralization System,
- Armored Fuel Tanker,
- CBRN Decontamination Drone,
- ASLAN IKA,
- Paramotor,
- Motorcycle Commando Team,
- Dragoneye-2,
- DORUK-2 Electro-Optic Sensor Systems,
- Urban Search and Rescue Vehicle,
- Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance and Disposal (EORD) Vehicle,
- Mobile Dental Unit,
- Mobile Field Units,
- Container Dog Kennel,
- TEBER and MAM-T UAV Munitions, along with,
Planned for inventory;
- Portable Electronic Attack (MILKAR-A) System,
- ALKA Laser Weapon System,
- MAGAS-E,
- TOLGA Short-Range Air Defense System,
- GOKBERK Laser Weapon System, and,
- Kamikaze Swarm Drone, various weapons and systems are being used for the first time in the EFES-2026 Exercise.
In this exercise, unlike previous EFES exercises;
- Network-Land ???????? Operations Management System,
- An artificial intelligence-supported analysis application in the military decision-making process has been used.
Additionally, at the exhibition opened on May 16 at the Doganbey Live Fire Exercise Area Seferihisar/Izmir, which includes 55 defense industry companies, projects that ranked in the top 10 among 292 applications from 69 universities within the scope of the inter-university project competition on "EFES-2026 Defense Science and Technologies" are also featured.
Our Turkish Stars Aerobatic Team will perform a demonstration flight tomorrow (May 21) as part of the exercise.
Dear Media Members,
- Between May 18-22, the Turkey-TRNC Natural Disaster Search and Rescue Exercise is being conducted in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,
In the date range of May 11-29;
- Technical Interoperability in the Netherlands,
- NATO-Serbia in Serbia,
- Italian Minex in Italy,
- Tunisia Sea in Tunisia,
- OPEX (Operational Experimentation Exercise) in Romania, participation is provided.
Between June 4-14, the Denizkurdu-II Exercise is planned to be conducted in the Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean Sea, and Eastern Mediterranean.
- A port visit to Antalya is being carried out by the Italian Navy's Alpino between May 18-21,
- Our ship TCG Orucreis, assigned to NATO Standing Naval Maritime Group-1 (SNMG-1), will visit Rota/Spain on May 30-31 between May 23-August 20,
- Our mine hunting vessel TCG Amasra, participating in the Italian Minex Exercise, will visit Augusta/Italy on May 24,
- Bangladeş Navy's Sangram, assigned to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), will visit Mersin between May 26-30.
Today (May 20), our ship TCG Barbaros, participating in the "May Seventh, Water Festival, Navy Festival" held in Perşembe/Ordu, has been opened for public visits.
- A delegation from our Naval Forces Command will attend the "Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Maritime Security Conference" to be held in Bahrain on May 27-28,
- The 6th Maritime Security Conference will be held in Istanbul on June 9-10 by the Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (MARSEC COE).
By our Air Forces Command; participation is planned tomorrow (May 21) in the "Dynamic Targeting Mission" to be conducted within NATO in Polish airspace, with our Tanker and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and space-based intelligence support (GOKTURK-1).
Within the framework of the "Turkish Armed Forces and Aviation Promotion Activity" by SOLOTÜRK, demonstration flights will be held today (May 20) in Giresun and on May 22 in Ordu.
Meanwhile,
- Under the auspices of the General Staff, the "Air and Missile Defense Sub-Workshop" was held interactively on May 15, with the participation of our Ministry, Force Commands, the Presidency of Defense Industries, and defense industry companies, to evaluate matters that will provide input to the air defense concept against the risks and threats that may arise in today's conflict and uncertainty environment and the future battlefield.
- The "Painting and Ship Model Competitions Exhibition" themed "Navy and Sea" has been opened to the public at the Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum between May 18 and 31.
- We once again congratulate our athlete who became the European Third in the 25-meter Pistol Duet Team Branch at the "Firearms European Championship" held in Croatia between May 7 and 13,
- Our Naval Academy Swimming Team, which participated in the "International Masters Long Course Summer Swimming Championship" held in Izmir between May 14 and 16 on behalf of TSK Sports Force and achieved 12 first places, seven second places, and nine third places,
- Our TSK Sports Force Sailing Team and athletes who achieved success in the "42nd National Defense University Naval Academy Cup Yacht Race" held on the Tuzla-Heybeliada route on May 16.
COUNTER-TERRORISM
Dear Members of the Press,
Within the scope of the duties and activities carried out by our Turkish Armed Forces for the peace, security, and stability of our country, during the past week;
- 5 more PKK terrorists have surrendered,
- Operations for the detection and destruction of mines, improvised explosive devices, caves, shelters, and hideouts continued in the operation areas.
BORDER SECURITY
Thanks to the intensive and effective measures taken at our borders, 218 individuals, including 3 members of terrorist organizations, who attempted to cross illegally within the last week have been apprehended, and 976 individuals have been prevented from crossing the border.
Thus, the number of those apprehended while attempting illegal crossings from January 1 to date has reached 3,162, and the number of individuals prevented from crossing the border has reached 30,170.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PEACE AND STABILITY / NATO / BILATERAL RELATIONS/
Dear Members of the Press,
Our Turkish Armed Forces continue to contribute to the establishment of peace and the maintenance of stability across a wide geography, within the scope of international missions and bilateral relations.
- Our Minister, who accompanied our President on his visit to Kazakhstan between May 13-15;
- On May 16, he received the NATO Permanent Representatives of our country and the USA,
- On May 18, he received the Commander of the Pakistan Air Force.
- Our Minister, who is attending the Distinguished Observer Day of the EFES Exercise today (May 20) and tomorrow (May 21), is also holding bilateral meetings with the defense ministers and chiefs of general staff of friendly and allied countries.
Our Chief of General Staff attended the NATO Military Committee Meeting held in Belgium on May 18-19.
Our Commander of the Land Forces,
- Between May 12-14, he went to Tashkent as an official guest of the Uzbekistan Ministry of Defense and held various contacts and meetings, including with the Uzbekistan Defense Minister,
- On May 18, he met with the Commander of the Romanian Land Forces, who came to our country as an official guest, and his accompanying delegation.
Our Commander of the Naval Forces will meet on May 22 with the Commander of the Polish Naval Forces, who is in our country, and his accompanying delegation.
Our Commander of the Air Forces hosted the Commander of the Pakistan Air Force at his office on May 18.
From our Deputy Ministers;
- Mr. Musa Heybet attended the Turkey-Belgium Economy Forum organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye in Ankara on May 13,
- He attended the 131st anniversary event of our General Directorate of Mapping on May 15,
- Mr. Salih Ayhan participated in the Black Sea Defense, Aviation and Maritime Security Fair held in Bucharest/Romania between May 13-15; within the scope of the fair, he held bilateral meetings with Romania's Minister of Finance; Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism; and the Deputy Minister of National Defense.
ISRAEL
On the other hand, within the scope of developments in the Middle East;
A new act of piracy has been committed by Israeli forces in international waters, intervening in the "Global Sumud Fleet," which was formed to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and deliver aid to Gaza.
Israel must immediately release all participants, including our detained citizens.
We reiterate that the international community must assume more responsibility to end this humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and Israel's lawless actions.
Furthermore, we once again emphasize the importance of the parties acting sensibly and constructively in the ongoing negotiation process between Iran and the USA, and that we will continue to provide all kinds of support for efforts in this direction.
We welcome the decision to extend the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon for a period of 45 days, and we reiterate the necessity for Israel to act in accordance with the spirit of the ceasefire.
DEFENSE INDUSTRY / NEW WEAPON SYSTEMS ENTERING INVENTORY
Dear Members of the Press,
Within the scope of efforts to further increase the advanced technology equipment and deterrent power of our Turkish Armed Forces, which continue to modernize their defense capabilities with the opportunities provided by our domestic and national defense industry, various quantities of the following have been taken into inventory by our Land Forces Command, after the completion of inspection and acceptance activities:
- TAYFUN Block-2 Missile, for the first time,
- Fırtına-2 howitzer,
- Akıncı Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (AUAV),
- National Infantry Rifle (MPT-76).
During the week, by our Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE);
- Delivery of various quantities and calibers of weapons and ammunition has been completed,
- The 7th unit of the domestically and nationally developed National Naval Gun Denizhan, having successfully completed its production and live-fire acceptance tests, has been delivered for assembly on the 10th ship of the MİLGEM Project.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Applications for the painting competition themed "My Hero Mehmetçik and Homeland" organized in cooperation with our Ministry and the Ministry of National Education for primary and secondary school students will continue until May 25.
We invite all our students to the competition where our children will express their love for the homeland, our national values, and their devotion to our heroic Mehmetçik through the powerful language of art.
With the EFES-2026 Exercise, the high operational capability, joint working ability, and strong deterrence of our Turkish Armed Forces have been once again demonstrated; the coordinated task execution capability of our land, naval, and air elements has been successfully showcased.
Our Turkish Armed Forces, with their modern and strong defense and security capacity, will continue resolutely to be the guarantee of regional and global peace and stability as well as our country's.
Finally, we extend our greetings for Eid al-Adha to the entire Islamic world, especially our country and the noble Turkish nation, wishing you healthy and peaceful holidays.