Turkey and Egypt Explore Joint Naval Shipbuilding Amidst Regional Tensions
Turkey and Egypt are advancing their maritime cooperation, with discussions underway for joint shipbuilding projects. This development was announced by Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, commander of Turkey’s navy, during the 'Sea of Friendship 2026' naval exercise in Alexandria, Egypt. The exercise, which took place from November 4 to November 9, included Turkey's largest warship, the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu, and focused on surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and underwater assault training. Admiral Tatlıoğlu met with his Egyptian counterpart, Vice Admiral Mahmoud Adel Fawzy, to discuss expanding cooperation, particularly in unmanned aerial and naval systems. Turkey aims to replicate its successful MILGEM Project, which has produced corvettes and frigates for several navies, including Pakistan, Ukraine, and Malaysia, in a joint venture with Egypt. This move signals a significant step in strengthening defense ties between the two nations in the Eastern Mediterranean.