Teknofest Blue Homeland 2026, a defense and technology festival centered on naval capabilities, opened Thursday at the Golcuk Naval Shipyard Command in Türkiye's northwestern province of Kocaeli.
Earlier in the day, Turkish naval vessels sailed through the Izmit Gulf near Istanbul in a display of the country's maritime capabilities. The flotilla included the TCG Anadolu, the Turkish Navy's largest ship, frigates, submarines and support vessels.
The fleet also staged a series of simulated military operations, including boarding and seizing a vessel and covert attacks on maritime facilities. Large crowds gathered along the shipyard's waterfront to watch the demonstrations.
Running through Aug. 23, the four-day event also features competitions for unmanned underwater and surface vehicles, as well as underwater rocket systems. It also includes maritime history exhibitions and virtual reality experiences.