07.07.2026 14:50
Airborne early warning and control aircraft stationed at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya will conduct 60 hours of non-stop flight due to the NATO Ankara summit.
The Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft in the inventory of the Turkish Air Force will play a key security role by conducting uninterrupted flights for 60 hours as part of the NATO Summit.
Based at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya, the AEW&C aircraft can scan 360 degrees with its multi-functional electronic scanning air and sea radar, identifying numerous targets up to 400 kilometers away.
The aircraft can transmit detected targets in real time to ground operations centers, aircraft operating in the area, and ships through its onboard systems.
These aircraft, boasting numerous features, play a significant role in security measures for the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Ankara.
Flying uninterrupted for 60 hours, they will be one of the most important elements ensuring the security of Turkish airspace.
"WE ARE ALWAYS PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF OUR MISSION BEING EXTENDED"
Speaking to the AA correspondent, Major Fatih Kulak, Commander of the AEW&C Mission Team, stated that they are preparing for the flight to carry out the mission assigned as part of the NATO Summit.
He noted that the AEW&C aircraft is a platform that provides early warning capability for airspace and performs control duties.
Major Kulak, who stated that the aircraft is also designated as the E-7T, said, "Our mission will be to monitor our country's airspace within the scope of the NATO Summit. We will provide early warning and contribute to the identification of any unidentified aircraft approaching Turkish airspace."
Kulak, who said they will fly within the Black Sea region today, added that they will monitor potential threats coming from that area and report them to the relevant authorities.
Providing information about the flights to be conducted within the scope of the summit, Kulak noted the following:
"We will carry out a mission consisting of 11 sorties, totaling 60 hours of uninterrupted flight. It will be fully continuous and conducted under the surveillance of our AEW&C aircraft. In this context, the uninterrupted execution of the mission involves an intense tempo. Our personnel are ready and standing by for subsequent sorties. Today, we are flying with a crew of 15. We anticipate a flight of approximately 8.5 hours. We are always prepared for the possibility that our mission may be extended."
"WE CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE THE POWER OF OUR ARMY IN THESE MISSIONS"
Kulak, stating that the aircraft has active and passive sensors on board, said they can detect and identify not only in the air but also at sea.
Stating that they also track the flights of leaders and delegations coming to Turkey for the summit, Kulak continued his words as follows:
"Peace Eagle aircraft carry out many different missions, from counter-terrorism operations to international and national exercises, and to surveillance duties in European airspace assigned to us by NATO. We work jointly with NATO's naval elements. Whether in the Eastern Mediterranean or the Baltic Sea, we make significant contributions by working together in different geographies. In doing all this, we very clearly demonstrate the discipline of the Turkish soldier and the strength of our army in these missions."