A Combination of Fierce Fighter Jets: F-16 Block 60, Eurofighter, Su-25, and F-4E2020 Terminator
The Anatolian Eagle 2023 exercise is currently taking place in Konya at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command. The exercise involves F-16 warplanes from different blocks, with 5 from Pakistan, 4 from the United Arab Emirates, and 34 from Turkey. Additionally, 2 Su-25 fighter jets from Azerbaijan, 5 and 4 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Qatar and England, respectively, and AKINCI and ANKA-S UAVs also participated in the exercise. The F-4E2020 Terminator warplanes also joined the training.
The annual Anatolian Eagle Training aims to improve the operational training levels of pilots, air defense personnel, and controllers. The training tests and develops joint and combined operational methods, minimizes losses within the scope of real operations, and maximizes mission effectiveness in a simulated real operational environment. The Anatolian Eagle Training Center (Konya) offers advanced-level joint training environments with training aids such as the Air Combat Display System and End of Mission Evaluation System.
The exercise area covers Salt Lake and its surroundings, carried out in an area of 300×400 km2. Since its inception, the center has conducted 46 training periods, 25 international, and 21 national, with the participation of 15 countries involving approximately 26,000 sorties.
The aim of the training is to improve the possibilities and capabilities of national and foreign elements to carry out joint operations during the day, increase mutual support between forces, increase the training levels of participants, plan, and execute mixed air operations missions against tactical and strategic targets protected by fighter planes, and surface air defense weapon systems in a realistic operational environment. The training also allows testing of new tactics and techniques.
The International Anatolian Eagle 2023/2 (AE-23/2)) Training will take place between May 2-12, 2023, with Turkish Naval and Air Force elements, Azerbaijan, UAE, England, Qatar, their commands exercised by Pakistan and NATO AWACS elements, with the participation of the USA, Australia, Ethiopia, Morocco, France, Georgia, Sweden, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Libya, Malaysia, and Oman in observer status.
