Anatolian Eagle 2025

The 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya province is staging base for the international air defence exercise Anatolian Eagle-2025 in Turkey. 34 countries have participated in and observed the drill, and 1,059 air photographers—including 502 foreign visitors, followed the action. The United States, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Hungary, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia are among the NATO partners and allies that participated in the training. With scenarios that simulate crisis periods prior to the start of war for the first time in such an international exercise, the event features realistic combat training and an improvement in operational cohesion.

The first cruise missile interception scenarios were included in 2025 edition of Anatolian Eagle, with an emphasis on identifying and eliminating threats with low radar cross-sections. These combined airborne-ground operations demonstrated a multi-pronged defence approach that necessitated smooth communication.

The defence sector in Turkey was also heavily involved in the exercise. The AKINCI, ANKA-S, and ANKA-3 unmanned aerial vehicles, ŞİMŞEK and SÜPER ŞİMŞEK decoys, KARASOJ electronic warfare systems, GPS jammers, and STORM mission analysis software were among the deployed assets. A significant milestone in the country’s C4ISR integration was reached when all missions were live streamed via Turkey’s in-house AEW&C platform.

Active participants included the U.S. Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters from Aviano in Italy, F-16s from the Royal Jordanian AF based at As Shaheed Muwaffaq al Salti AB, and Qatar’s Eurofighter Typhoons from Tamim AB. The Royal Saudi Airforce sent F-15SA’s from King Saud AB and the Azerbaijan AF sent Su-25s from Kyurdamir.

During our visit, noted Turkish Airforce units were;

113, 132, 151, 152, 161, 162, 181,191,192, and 193 Filo’s with F-16s
111 Filo with a solo F-4 in special colours
131 Filo with their E-7Ts
134 Filo, The Turkish Stars with their NF-5s
135 Filo with AS.532 and CN235Ms

Furthermore, by controlling and commanding the aircraft flying above the training area, the NATO E-3A AWACS offered vital assistance. The training improved the ability to effectively resist anti-access/area denial threats in contested areas by honing collaborative warfighting capabilities.

Under the direction of the Turkish General Staff Special Forces Command, the Anadolu-2025 Special Forces Exercise was also under progress, with three countries serving as observers and 19 participating actively. Turkish Special Forces have demonstrated cutting-edge technology, such as armed quadrupedal robots and fiber-optic cable-equipped FPV drones, emphasising the incorporation of state-of-the-art tools in global exercises. The drills highlight Turkey’s contribution to promoting military readiness and collaboration among nations.

Major Ekrem Cekin, Anatolian Eagle Training Command squadron commander stated,

“This training is designed to give aircrew maximum freedom to solve problems presented by tactical scenarios. Anatolian Eagle Trainings allow our partners the opportunity to compare and improve capabilities, tactics and procedures in a safe and instructive way through a shared vision and operational synergy.”

In the end, Anatolian Eagle 25 demonstrated the might and dedication of the NATO Alliance and other member states to maintaining peace in a challenging international setting. Over 41,000 troops, 3,300 air platforms, and roughly 27,000 sorties have been involved in the 55 incarnations of the Anatolian Eagle program since its launch in 2001.

Pixelsnipers, would like to thank Konya Air Base and the Turkish Air Force for the help in arranging our visit and their legendary hospitality while on base.