Anatolian Eagle 2025: International air drill debuts UAV combat role in Konya

A press day was held for the International Anatolian Eagle-2025 Exercise at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya. Local and international journalists attending the program as part of the exercise first listened to a briefing delivered by Air Force Major General Mete Kuş, Commander of the 3rd Main Jet Base. In the briefing room, Major General Kuş told the press that this year's exercise was planned based on a modern, dynamic, and multi-dimensional operational environment. He stated that, for the first time in an international exercise, pre-war crisis phase scenarios were simulated through actual flight missions. Kuş added: 'For the first time in the Anatolian Eagle exercise, blue forces carried out interception and destruction operations against a simulated threat of numerous cruise missiles launched by forces representing a 'red country.' In a first for an international exercise conducted under conventional operations, only UAVs were assigned direct bombing roles.' Following the briefing, journalists took their positions in a designated area and photographed takeoffs and landings of air assets from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Hungary, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and NATO. Later, the press watched a demonstration flight by the Turkish Stars, the aerobatic team of the Turkish Air Force stationed in Konya. The Anatolian Eagle-2025 Exercise included 75 air and naval assets in total—30 international and 45 national elements—with more than 1,000 personnel participating.

Anatolian Eagle 2025: International air drill debuts UAV combat role in Konya

The Anatolian Eagle-2025 military exercise in Konya showcased international air forces and UAV combat roles for the first time, with over 1,000 personnel from eight nations participating.