For the first time in over a decade, Turkey and Egypt are joining forces in a series of joint air and naval exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean, a move that signals a remarkable thaw in relations between the two regional heavyweights. According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, these drills, named Friendship Sea, are taking place from September 22 to September 26, 2025, and mark the first military cooperation between the two countries in 13 years. The significance of the event is hard to overstate, given the years of tension and competing interests that have defined the Ankara-Cairo relationship for much of the past decade.
The Turkish Defense Ministry detailed the scale of the operation, which involves Turkish frigates Oruc Reis and Gediz, fast attack patrol vessels Imbat and Bora, the submarine Gur, two F-16 fighter jets, and Egyptian navy units. Both countries’ naval commanders are expected to attend the Distinguished Visitors Day on September 25, underscoring the importance attached to the drills after years of estrangement.
As reported by ekathimerini and the Associated Press, the rapprochement between Ankara and Cairo has been steadily building since 2023. Political and business ties, once nearly frozen, have warmed considerably, now extending into defense cooperation. Last September, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visited Ankara, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted him with full honors—a gesture that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years earlier.
The roots of the rift between Turkey and Egypt go back to the tumultuous events of 2013, when Egypt’s military, led by then-General el-Sisi, ousted President Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Turkey, a longtime backer of the Brotherhood, was sharply critical of the coup, while Egypt quickly outlawed the group as a terrorist organization. This set the stage for a decade of frosty relations, punctuated by public spats, the withdrawal of ambassadors, and diverging policies on regional flashpoints like Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean.
In 2023, however, both countries agreed to repair relations and reappoint ambassadors. Since then, there has been a flurry of diplomatic activity, with several high-level visits between Turkish and Egyptian leaders and officials. Analysts quoted by ekathimerini say the improvement in ties is not just symbolic but has real strategic implications, especially as it now extends into the realm of defense.
“The S-400 air defense systems remain in our stockpiles. There is no change in our position,” Turkish officials stated recently, dismissing persistent rumors about the possible transfer of Russian-made S-400 missile systems abroad. This clarification comes amid speculation about shifting alliances and military posturing in the region, especially as Israel continues its military mobilization.
The timing of the Turkish-Egyptian drills is notable, as it comes against the backdrop of ongoing instability across the Eastern Mediterranean. For years, Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus have held their own annual Medusa drills—usually between Alexandria and Crete—designed to signal their cooperation and deter perceived threats. Now, with Turkey and Egypt conducting their own joint exercises, the regional balance appears to be shifting once again.
Observers see the Turkish-Egyptian rapprochement as both a challenge and an opportunity for Athens. On one hand, it complicates the dynamics of the longstanding Greece-Turkey rivalry in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly over maritime boundaries and energy exploration. On the other, it reflects the broader reality of shifting alliances in the region, as countries recalibrate their foreign policies in response to changing threats and opportunities.
According to the Associated Press, the Friendship Sea exercises will include not only naval maneuvers but also air operations, with F-16 fighter jets from both countries participating alongside warships and submarines. The presence of the two navies’ top commanders at the high-level observer day on September 25 is intended to signal the seriousness of the renewed partnership.
Both Turkey and Egypt have also found common ground on other pressing regional issues. In particular, the two countries have taken a firm stance against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, working together to call for a ceasefire. This shared position has helped to bridge some of the lingering mistrust between Ankara and Cairo, and may point to further cooperation on security and diplomatic initiatives in the future.
Reports cited by ekathimerini suggest that Turkey has also taken steps to address one of Egypt’s longstanding grievances: the presence of Muslim Brotherhood members on Turkish soil. While details remain sparse, it is believed that Ankara has quietly handed over some Brotherhood members to Egyptian authorities, removing a major source of friction between the two governments.
For their part, Greek, Egyptian, and Cypriot officials have watched the warming Turkish-Egyptian ties with a mix of concern and pragmatism. The annual Medusa drills, which have been held since 2015, are likely to continue, but the addition of Turkish-Egyptian cooperation adds a new wrinkle to the region’s complex security architecture.
“This is a significant shift in the regional balance,” said one analyst familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It’s not just about military drills—it’s about signaling intent and reshaping alliances in a region that’s already incredibly volatile.”
The Friendship Sea exercises are, in many ways, the culmination of a year-long diplomatic dance between Ankara and Cairo. Since agreeing to restore diplomatic relations and reappoint ambassadors in 2023, both sides have moved carefully but deliberately to rebuild trust. The joint drills are the most visible sign yet that the rapprochement is real and may have staying power.
Still, challenges remain. The legacy of past disputes—over Libya, the Muslim Brotherhood, and maritime boundaries—has not disappeared overnight. Both countries will need to navigate these issues carefully if the current thaw is to translate into lasting partnership.
For now, though, the sight of Turkish and Egyptian warships sailing side by side in the Eastern Mediterranean is a potent symbol of change. As regional alliances shift and new partnerships form, the coming months are likely to bring both new opportunities and fresh challenges for all involved.
With the world’s eyes on the Eastern Mediterranean, the message from Ankara and Cairo is clear: old enemies can become partners, and the future of the region is anything but settled.