The countries participating in the 2nd International Anatolian Eagle-2023 Training organised by the Turkish Air Force in 2023 have been announced. After a long time, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia will attend the Exercise.
Participating countries have been announced in the Exercise, which will start on May 2 at the 3rd Main Jet Base in Konya and last until May 12. The Exercise, organised for Air Defence purposes, is amongst the most remarkable military organisations of the world with its advanced electronic warfare systems and vast airspace reserved for the Exercise.
According to TolgaOzbek.com, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will participate in the training with F-16C/D aircraft. Qatar will make a significant change because last year, the country participated with the French Dassault-manufactured Rafale. This year the Qatari Emirate brings the Eurofighters to the Anatolian Eagle Exercise. Last year, the Emirate supported the Turkish Air Force by participating in the Exercise with Rafale fighters as Greece acquired them. This year the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) will bring the brand new Eurofighters. QEAF started receiving fighters last year in August.
Türkiye and the United Kingdom have been working together on the Turkish Fighter jet (TF) for a long time. This cooperation brought the two countries together and was reflected in the exercises for a while. Royal Air Force (RAF) will bring Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Konya as Turkiye is looking for an alternative solution against French Rafales. If Turkiye acquires Eurofighter, it can draw a roadmap for the Aegean Sea neighbour.
The United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) will participate in the Exercise with F-16 Block 60 aircraft, also called F-16E/F. The UAE has not participated in the exercises for long due to the diplomatic standoff between the two countries. The F-16 Block 60s that UAEAF will bring is the only kind. Today, as the debate on electronic warfare superiority comparison continues between the F-16 Block 60 and 70, a closer examination of this aircraft will bring new possibilities. In addition to Turkiye's request from the USA for 79 F-16 modernisation kits and 40 F-16 Block 70 supplies, Turkiye has decided to modernise all remaining aircraft in its inventory with the "Özgür Project". Evaluation of Block 60s alongside Eurofighter will also allow for drawing an essential roadmap for the future.
Azerbaijan will attend the Exercise as usual. The same root country brought Mig-29s in the past years and will be in Konya this year with its fleet of Su-25.
After the resumption of relations between Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, participation was approved. The Saudi Kingdom will show up in the Anatolian Eagle with its F-15SAs. Saudi Aircraft acquired 84 F-15SA aircraft within the framework of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from the USA. The aircraft stands with its electronic warfare capability, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an infra-red search-and-track system and Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems.
Turkish Air Force might design its future force structure according to information from returning countries.
