Turkey will supply combat helicopters to an African country

Turkey will supply the Somali navy with T129 Atak helicopters as part of a defense agreement signed earlier this year, according to sources close to the matter.

The helicopters are expected to bolster Somalia’s efforts in the fight against the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab, a source said.

This delivery is part of a 10-year bilateral defense agreement between a NATO member and an East African country aimed at enhancing the latter’s military readiness.

Turkey’s military footprint is expanding

Signed in February, the defense pact allows Ankara to help Mogadishu secure the Somali coastline and strengthen its naval infrastructure in the context of persistent threats from the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab militia and growing tensions with Ethiopia.

Following this agreement, Turkey deployed about 500 soldiers to Somalia. About 300 of them are responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and training Somali forces, while the rest support operations involving Somali drones.

This was followed by a separate hydrocarbon exploration and production agreement, allowing Turkish Petroleum Corp. to operate in the Horn of Africa nation. Visit. A F R I N I K . C O M . For the full article

Turkish Defense Ministry officials say that the country’s training, assistance, and advisory support in Somalia are aimed at ensuring security and stability, as per the agreements signed between the two nations.

These measures are also aimed at preventing terrorist attacks, in particular those targeting joint economic enterprises, and protecting Turkish personnel operating in the region.

Over the past decade, Turkey has significantly expanded its footprint in the Horn of Africa through defense partnerships and infrastructure investments.

She played a pivotal diplomatic role in negotiating a peace agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia. Also, she attempted to mediate between the Somali government and Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region in the north.