ANATOLIAN EAGLE 2025-2

The Anatolian Eagle Training is an annually conducted national and/or international training exercise at the Anatolian Eagle Training Center Squadron Command based at the 3rd Main Jet Air Base in Konya, Turkey.

The 2025 international edition was held from June 23 to July 4, 2025.

Its primary objectives are:

• to enhance the operational training levels of pilots, air defense personnel and controllers,
• to test and develop joint and combined operational procedures in order to minimize losses under real operational conditions and to maximize mission effectiveness.

 The training provides a high-level joint training environment for participating units, significantly enhancing their combat readiness. This is achieved through training aids such as the Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) and the Post-Mission Debriefing System, which enable real-time or near real-time evaluation of missions conducted during the training. The Anatolian Eagle Training Center is one of the three tactical training centers in the world with such capabilities and the only one located in Europe. The exercise area spans approximately 300×400 km, covering the Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü) and its surrounding region.

 This year active participants were air forces form Azerbaijan, Hungary, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Turkey, as well as NATO’s AWACS component.  Military representatives from Malaysia, Oman, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates participated as observers.

 Numerous aircraft took part in the exercise, including Turkish and US F-16s, Azerbaijani Su-25s, Hungarian JAS-39 Gripens, Qatari Eurofighter Typhoons, Saudi F-15s and Jordanian F-16s.  A NATO E-3A AWACS aircraft provided command and control support.

The exercise simulated complex tactical scenarios to train participants to operate in a high-intensity environment and counter modern threats, including integrated air defense systems.

Anatolian Eagle 2025 exercise allowed Allied air forces to work together, improving operational awareness and refining tactics for large-scale air operations. Also Turkey’s increasing focus on technological innovation was highlighted, with the use of SIMSEK and SUPER SIMSEK stealth drones (manufactured by TAI) to simulate low radar tracking cruise missile (RCS) threats.

 Crews carried out enemy air defense suppression (SEAD) missions and carried out maneuvers in a simulated hostile environment, which also included lessons learned from recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

During the exercise the Turkish Air Force hosted both a spotter day and a media day and it culminated with an “Elephant Walk”, a maneuver in which several aircraft taxied in compact formation, demonstrating the readiness and cooperation of the allied air forces.

Aviation-shots was there on both days and would like to thank The Turkish Air Force Press Office for the great support received.

Pictures and report by SIMONE BA