Turkey and Egypt have kicked off their first joint naval exercise in more than a decade, marking a major step in restoring defense ties after years of political tensions. The drill, called “Friendship of the Sea 2025,” began this week in the Eastern Mediterranean and will run for five days. Both navies are showcasing their firepower with frigates, submarines, unmanned surface vessels, helicopters, and F-16 fighter jets. The program includes joint operational planning, surface and anti-submarine warfare, as well as advanced search-and-rescue missions.
Egypt’s Armed Forces confirmed the participation of its units in Turkey, describing the exercise as an important step toward “strengthening military cooperation with a brotherly and friendly nation.” Turkish officials also highlighted the drill as evidence of improving ties after years of strain. Relations between Ankara and Cairo soured in 2013 following the ouster of Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi, a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Diplomatic contacts only began to normalize in recent years, with both countries seeking closer cooperation on trade, security, and regional stability. Analysts say the joint exercise signals not only renewed trust but also a shared interest in projecting influence across the Eastern Mediterranean, where energy exploration and maritime security remain pressing issues.
