In Egypt on Wednesday, the 'Golden Eagle' exercises commenced with the participation of elements from the Egyptian paratroopers and thunderbolt forces and the Turkish special forces, enhancing military rapprochement between the two countries.

The combat training, which takes place over several days, comes within the framework of the escalating military movement between the two sides, which emerged through the multiplicity of joint exercises between the two armies after the signing of a 'framework military agreement' 5 months ago during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Cairo last February.

According to a statement by the Egyptian military spokesman on Wednesday, 'The first phase of the training included a number of theoretical lectures on various topics to unify operational concepts and achieve integration and homogeneity among the participating elements, as well as an exhibition of weapons and equipment used in the training.'

According to military and strategic expert and director of the Arab Foundation for Development and Strategic Studies, Samir Ragheb, this 'crowns the degrees of growth in Egyptian-Turkish military relations, reflecting the political rapprochement; because military cooperation is the highest form of cooperation.'

He added to Asharq Al-Awsat: 'Egypt is now in an important stage of the idea of reshaping the map of friends and alliances, and undoubtedly military relations are among the most prominent of these relations, and Egypt and Turkey are among the most prominent models in the region.'

Egypt and Turkey signed a military cooperation agreement during Erdogan's visit to Cairo last February (Egyptian Presidency).

He continued: 'Wherever there is military cooperation, we will find media cooperation and economic relations,' adding: 'The Egyptian thunderbolt and paratroopers are among the strongest special operations groups, and the Turkish side is one of the active armies, and we share a common history in military work.'

He pointed out that the rate of maneuvers between the two countries is increasing, in addition to joint military manufacturing files in drones. Egypt joined the Turkish fifth-generation stealth aircraft program 'KAAN'.

At the end of last month, Egyptian Army Chief of Staff Ahmed Khalifa stressed the importance of coordinating efforts and supporting prospects for military cooperation with Turkey to achieve the common interests of the two countries, during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu in Cairo.

Confronting Challenges

Adviser at the Military Academy for Postgraduate and Strategic Studies and member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, Adel al-Omda, says: 'The enormous challenges have become international, not regional, and are facing Egypt from all directions, so it requires continuous tactical and informational cooperation.'

He continued in his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat: 'Cooperation confirms that these challenges can be faced, and gives reassuring messages to peoples about stability,' adding: 'Maneuvers generally enhance the political decision of states and magnify their presence, movements, and weight.'

Egyptian and Turkish forces participating in the 'Golden Eagle' training on Wednesday (Military Spokesperson's Facebook page)

He said: 'Cooperation with a major regional state like Turkey in the military field has tangible positive results; this cooperation reduces some challenges and maximizes the capabilities and strengths of both sides.'

Regarding the ability of military rapprochement to enhance political rapprochement between the two countries, he said: 'It is a starting point due to the convergence of visions; as long as there is military agreement, there can be political, economic, social, and technological agreement between the two sides in all fields.'

'Positive Messages'

The Egyptian-Turkish training is scheduled to witness the implementation of a number of practical activities and events for the planned topics and objectives to exchange tactical expertise between the two sides and achieve maximum benefit for the participating forces, according to the military spokesman.

The Egyptian statement said that the training comes 'within the framework of the joint training plan of the armed forces with their counterparts from brotherly and friendly countries to support cooperative relations in various military fields.'

The first phase of the 'Golden Eagle' maneuver on Wednesday included a number of theoretical lectures (Military Spokesperson's Facebook page)

The Turkish army had announced at the end of last month a trilateral air training with Egypt and Azerbaijan named 'Anatolian Eagle 2026 Exercise', in which various types of fighters participated, including two Su-25 aircraft from Azerbaijan and five F-16 aircraft from Egypt.

Egypt also conducted maneuvers with both Turkey and Oman last month, aiming to 'exchange training expertise and unify operational concepts.' In September 2025, Egypt and Turkey conducted the 'Sea of Friendship' military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean after a 13-year hiatus.

Regarding the messages carried by the Egyptian-Turkish maneuvers, al-Omda said: 'The acceleration of conflicts is casting its shadow over the region, and the presence of such maneuvers enhances and strengthens Egyptian-Turkish relations and increases the weight of the two countries in the region.'

According to Ragheb, maneuvers, manufacturing, or military exhibitions 'constantly send positive messages that affirm the idea that the relationship is strong and stable.'

He continued: 'The two countries send a message of readiness aimed at preventing wars; neither Egypt nor Turkey seeks war in the region, but rather play the role of mediator in settlements from Gaza, through Iran, to Yemen, Syria, and other files.'

Egypt and Turkey signed an agreement last August for the joint manufacturing of vertical take-off and landing drones. Production of unmanned ground vehicles also began based on a partnership between the Turkish company 'Havelsan' and the Egyptian 'Kader' factory.