Egypt-Turkey defence partnership could help stabilise the region

Joint air and naval exercises, military co-production projects, and growing security, intelligence and diplomatic coordination between Egypt and Turkey are taking place amid mounting regional tensions and geopolitical shifts, particularly in the aftermath of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Developments in Egyptian-Turkish relations across multiple fronts have been significant and striking. They represent a strategic shift that could open the door to a reconfiguration of regional alliances and may signal the emergence of a defence partnership between the two countries—or even a wider regional alliance should other states join—capable of reshaping the balance of power in the region.

This growing rapprochement has reportedly raised concerns in both Israeli and American circles, amid reports that Washington has sought clarification regarding the nature of recent security and military contacts between senior officials in the defence ministries of the two countries.

Joint Air Exercises

The second was diplomatic, namely the fourth meeting of the foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, held this week in the Egyptian city of Alamein. The talks focused on regional issues and efforts to formulate a four-party mechanism aimed at enhancing regional security.

According to a statement by the Egyptian military spokesperson, the exercises were conducted at several Egyptian air bases and involved a number of multi-role fighter aircraft. The drills included operational training flights designed to improve coordination and enhance readiness for the execution of joint air missions under a range of conditions. 

Last year, Egypt and Turkey resumed joint naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean under the “Sea of Friendship” drills, following a 13-year pause. The two countries also signed agreements to co-produce drones, develop unmanned ground vehicles, and manufacture long-range artillery ammunition. 

A landmark step in the development of military cooperation between the two countries came with Egypt’s inclusion in Turkey’s Kaan stealth fighter programme as both a development and manufacturing partner. The aircraft is expected to enter service in 2030, underscoring the expanding scope of joint defence projects and the growing military cooperation between Cairo and Ankara. 

This marks the first time the two sides have agreed to elevate their cooperation to the level of producing a stealth fighter equipped with advanced technologies. Both countries hope the project will help challenge the long-standing dominance of the Israeli Air Force in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Turkish defence company Aselsan, one of the world’s leading defence manufacturers, has recently opened a regional representative office in Egypt under the name “Aselsan Egypt”. According to the company’s chief executive, Ahmet Akyol, the move is aimed at strengthening cooperation with Egypt. 

Significant Gains

Egyptian–Turkish military cooperation should be viewed within a broader context. One key dimension is Egypt’s growing attractiveness to Turkish defence manufacturers, alongside Ankara’s ambition to open new markets for its defence industry. This aligns with Egypt’s own efforts to diversify its sources of arms procurement, strengthen domestic defence production, and localise Turkish technology. 

Egypt is Turkey’s leading trading partner in Africa, and both countries are seeking to increase bilateral trade from approximately $9 billion to $15 billion by 2028.

READ: Report: Growing Egypt-Turkey defence ties draw Israeli and US attention