The Ministry of National Defence of Türkiye has announced that a joint naval exercise titled "Sea of Friendship-2026" will be held next month between the Egyptian and Turkish Naval Forces.
Ministry of National Defence of Türkiye Spokesperson Zeki Aktürk stated that the exercise will take place in Alexandria from 4 to 9 November, involving units and personnel from the naval forces of both countries.
The spokesperson noted that the exercise will feature training activities within the scope of surface naval operations, anti-submarine warfare, air defence and underwater offensive operations, with the participation of Underwater Offence (SAT) units.
The spokesperson also announced that the Turkish warship "TCG Burgazada" will visit the Port of Alexandria from 1 to 3 November, after visiting Souda Port in Greece from 25 to 28 October.
The exercise takes place against a backdrop of expanding military cooperation between the two countries, marked by reciprocal visits from senior military officials and joint training activities involving various branches of their armed forces.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Turkish Land Forces made an official visit to Egypt on 26 and 27 October, although the Ministry of National Defence did not disclose details of the programme or the discussions held during the visit.
Following a 13-year hiatus, Egypt-Türkiye "Sea of Friendship" joint naval exercises resumed in the Eastern Mediterranean in September 2025.
First held in 2009, the “Sea of Friendship” exercises took place annually until 2013, when they were suspended following a downturn in political relations between Cairo and Ankara.
In recent months, the Egyptian and Turkish Armed Forces have carried out a number of military exercises. The most notable of these is the joint “Golden Eagle” exercise, which brings together Egyptian parachute and commando units and Turkish special forces.
The air forces of the two countries also conducted training exercises. The Egyptian Air Force took part in the "Anatolian Eagle 2026" exercise hosted by Türkiye in June, which also included Azerbaijan and a NATO early-warning aircraft.