Türkiye and Egypt Deepen Defense Ties to Bolster Regional Stability

Türkiye has underscored the importance of bolstering defense and security cooperation with Egypt, asserting that such collaboration, built on mutual trust and shared interests, will significantly contribute to advancing peace and reinforcing regional stability.

A letter of intent concerning defense cooperation, signed during Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production Ashraf Salem Zaher’s visit to Ankara, reflects the determination of both nations to formalize their defense and security partnership. Ministry spokesman Zeki Akturk stated that the document also signifies a strong commitment to deepening ties rooted in history and exploring new areas of cooperation that can foster peace, stability, and security across the region.

Akturk highlighted the strong legacy shared by Türkiye and Egypt, shaped by deep historical and cultural connections. He noted that recent high-level visits have injected fresh momentum into their military cooperation. Contacts between military delegations have expanded as both sides seek to enhance their defense and security dialogue, with concrete steps taken in military training, joint operations, and defense industries.

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The document also reflected a strong desire to deepen ties rooted in history, while opening new areas of cooperation that could support peace, stability and security across the region.

Zaher's visit marked his first since assuming office in February and was the first by an Egyptian defense minister since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited Türkiye in May 2013. This engagement follows a late-April 2024 visit to Ankara by former Egyptian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Osama Askar, the first senior Egyptian military official to visit Türkiye after relations began a gradual normalization post-2013. Egypt’s current Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Ahmed Khalifa, also made an official visit on May 8, 2025, leading to the first high-level military dialogue between the two countries, which they agreed to hold annually.

Cooperation discussions have focused on strengthening military ties, particularly in training and expertise exchange. The two countries signed a military cooperation agreement during President Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Cairo on February 4, which also included the second meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Council. Recent joint exercises, held in both Egypt and Türkiye with air force participation in June, have significantly improved interoperability and joint operational capabilities.

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Türkiye and Egypt share a strong legacy shaped by deep historical and cultural ties, adding that recent high-level visits had given military cooperation fresh momentum.