Turkey to Launch Large-Scale "Blue Homeland 2025" Exercise

Turkey is set to launch a major air and naval exercise, dubbed "Blue Homeland 2025," across the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Seas from January 7th to 16th.

The exercise will showcase a significant display of Turkish military might, involving a wide array of assets and personnel.

According to Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the exercise will involve 87 surface vessels, 7 submarines, 7 unmanned naval vehicles (UNVs), 31 aircraft, 17 helicopters, 28 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a substantial contingent of 20,000 personnel. This force will also include specialized underwater attack and defense teams.

The scale of "Blue Homeland 2025" underscores Turkey's commitment to asserting its presence and capabilities in the region. The inclusion of a significant number of UNVs and UAVs highlights the country's increasing focus on incorporating these technologies into its naval and air operations.

The exercise will also feature a Distinguished Visitors' Day on January 9th at the Aksaz Naval Base, strategically located across from the Greek island of Rhodes. This event will offer invited guests the opportunity to observe the exercise and its participating forces.

The announcement of "Blue Homeland 2025" comes amidst ongoing regional tensions and is likely to be closely monitored by neighboring countries and international observers. The exercise's name, "Blue Homeland," reflects Turkey's maritime doctrine asserting its claims in the surrounding seas.