The Turkish Air Force will support the security measures taken for the NATO Summit with its airborne early warning and control capability. Turkish Air Force AWACS aircraft are expected to conduct 60 hours of uninterrupted flight missions to ensure the security of the summit. This mission is critically important for real-time monitoring of the airspace, early detection of possible threats and coordination among air assets during the event.

AWACS aircraft are among the strategic platforms used in modern air operations for early warning, surveillance, command-control and creating a recognized air picture. These aircraft can monitor wide areas with their radar systems and transmit real-time information on airspace activity to decision-making centers. In high-level events such as NATO summits, where many heads of state, government representatives, defense ministers and senior delegations participate, this capability becomes one of the most important links in the security chain.

The 60-hour uninterrupted flight mission to be carried out as part of summit security also demonstrates the high readiness level of the Turkish Air Force. In such long-duration missions, not only the technical capability of the aircraft but also mission planning, personnel coordination, air traffic management, maintenance support and ground-air communications are of great importance. The air picture provided by AWACS aircraft will be shared with ground security units and other air assets, contributing to the multi-layered security architecture.

The use of airborne early warning and control aircraft for summit security is considered an important factor that shortens reaction time against possible airspace violations. AWACS platforms do not only detect threats; they also support the direction of air patrol assets, help distinguish friendly and hostile elements, and strengthen the flow of information that enables command centers to make accurate decisions in times of crisis. In this respect, the system functions as an airborne command center within the air defense structure.

Security measures for the NATO Summit are being carried out within a broad framework covering land, air, electronic systems and critical infrastructure protection. The assignment of Turkish AWACS aircraft within this scope demonstrates Türkiye’s capability to ensure both national airspace security and the safety of a high-profile international event. The 60-hour uninterrupted flight plan stands out as an important activity reflecting the Turkish Air Force’s experience in airborne early warning and control.

As a result, the long-duration mission to be carried out by Turkish Air Force AWACS aircraft for NATO Summit security will once again demonstrate the effectiveness of Türkiye’s airborne surveillance, early warning and command-control capabilities. The uninterrupted air picture to be created throughout the summit will contribute to the early detection of potential risks and the simultaneous management of security measures. This activity also strongly reflects Türkiye’s capacity to fulfill its security responsibilities within NATO.