The Anatolian Eagle 2023 training is being executed at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya. In this context, 5 F-16 fighter jets from Pakistan, 4 from the United Arab Emirates and 34 from Turkey participated in the training. In addition to these aircraft, two Su-25 attack jets from Azerbaijan, and 9 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets -5 from Qatar and 4 from the UK- participated the training. F-4E 2020 Terminator fighter jets also participated in the training. Meanwhile AKINCI and ANKA-S UCAVs made their appearence as the sole UCAV platforms.
General information about Anatolian Eagle Training
The Anatolian Eagle Training is an annual national and/or international training conducted at the Anatolian Eagle Training Centre (Konya) in order to increase the operational training level of pilots, air defence personnel and controllers, to test and develop joint and combined operation procedures, to minimise losses in real operations and to maximise mission effectiveness in an environment simulating real operations.
Taking into account the training aids such as the Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation and Mission Evaluation System, which are used for simultaneous or rapid evaluation of tasks carried out within the scope of the training, this training provides participants with an advanced joint training environment that enhances their level of readiness for combat.
Anatolian Eagle Training Centre is one of the three tactical training centres with similar facilities in the world, and the only tactical training centre in Europe. The exercise is conducted in an area of 300×400 km2 covering Salt Lake and its surroundings. Since the establishment of the Anatolian Eagle Training Centre, a total of 46 training periods, including 25 international and 21 national training periods, have been conducted with the participation of 15 countries, and approximately 26,000 sorties have been flown.
Purpose of the training:
- To enhance the ability of national and foreign elements to conduct joint operations during daylight and increase mutual support among forces.
- To increase participants’ training levels by planning and executing complex air operations against tactical and strategic targets protected by air defence weapons systems (located on land and sea) in a realistic operational environment that includes fighter aircraft and surface-to-air defence systems.
- To provide an opportunity to test and experiment with new tactics and techniques.
Execution of training
The International Anatolian Eagle – 2023/2 (AE-23/2)) Training is being conducted at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command (Konya) between 02 May-12 May 2023 with the participation of Turkish Naval and Air Force elements, Azerbaijan, UAE, UK, Qatar, Pakistan and NATO AWACS elements, and the participation of the USA, Australia, Ethiopia, Morocco, France, Georgia, Sweden, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Libya, Malaysia and Oman as observers.
