The daytime phase of the Distinguished Observer Day has begun as part of EFES-2026, one of the largest combined and joint exercises conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces. The activities are being carried out at the Doğanbey Live-Fire Exercise Area in Seferihisar, İzmir, demonstrating Türkiye’s ability to use land, air and naval elements within the same operational architecture.

The final day of the exercise is expected to be observed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Distinguished Observer Day activities are being followed by Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, the Turkish Armed Forces command echelon, as well as defence ministers and chiefs of general staff from friendly and allied countries.

More than 10,000 personnel from 50 countries are participating in EFES-2026. The exercise aims to improve the capabilities of headquarters and units assigned to combined and joint operations, while maintaining combat readiness in line with assigned missions. In addition to the Turkish Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces, Special Forces Command, Gendarmerie General Command and Coast Guard Command, various ministries, public institutions, non-governmental organizations and participating country elements are also taking part.

The daytime phase of the Distinguished Observer Day began with the takeoff of Bayraktar TB3 UCAV from TCG ANADOLU. This activity stood out as an important demonstration of Türkiye’s ability to operate unmanned aerial vehicles from naval platforms. It was followed by shore bombardment with naval gunfire support, artillery and mortar fire, and activities continuing from the air assault operation that began during the night phase.

The scenario tested the Turkish Armed Forces’ ability to combine naval fire support, air assault and land operations under a coordinated mission structure. The use of different force elements in the same operational environment highlighted the growing importance of joint command, real-time coordination and integrated fire support in modern warfare.

Many indigenous and national systems were used for the first time during EFES-2026. Among the systems taking part in the exercise were the GÖKBEY helicopter, M-60 T1 tank, Panter and BORAN howitzers, TRLG-230 and SUNGUR missiles, TAYFUN, HİSAR-A and HİSAR-O air defence missile systems, KORKUT air defence weapon systems, 35 mm modern towed gun, KALKAN Air Defence Radar, İHTAR Counter-UAV System, KARAOK anti-tank weapon and UMTAS anti-tank missile.

Other systems used in the exercise included the KARAYEL assault boat, MEMATT mechanical mine clearing equipment, Vehicle-Mounted Mine/IED Detection System, ALKAR 120 mm mortar weapon system, GEZGİN satellite terminal, TARAS-II radiolink system, electronic IED detection and neutralization system, ASLAN unmanned ground vehicle, Dragoneye-2 and DORUK-2 electro-optical sensor systems. Systems planned to enter the inventory, such as the MİLKAR-A Portable Electronic Attack System, ALKA Laser Weapon System, MAGAS-E, TOLGA Close Air Defence System, GÖKBERK Laser Weapon System and kamikaze swarm drones, were also demonstrated in the field for the first time.

EFES-2026 Distinguished Observer Day is critically important because it shows how systems developed by the Turkish defence industry can operate in a joint operational environment. Air defence systems, missiles and rockets, unmanned land and aerial vehicles, electronic warfare assets, electro-optical systems, artillery systems and naval platforms were all used within the same exercise scenario.

The daytime phase demonstrated that Türkiye has not only advanced in platform production but also in the ability to use these platforms effectively within a joint warfare concept. The participation of domestic and national systems in a large-scale international exercise strengthens the deterrence of the Turkish Armed Forces while also increasing the visibility and export potential of the Turkish defence industry.