Turkey's EFES-2026 night phase hits all targets in major NATO-observed drill
The night-fire phase of Turkey's EFES-2026 exercise in the Foça district of Izmir hit all designated targets, the Turkish Armed Forces said. The drill, observed by representatives from 38 NATO member states, covered a coordinated land, sea and air operation.
EFES-2026 is the latest edition of a biennial large-scale international exercise hosted by the Turkish Armed Forces. During the night phase off Foça, marine infantry units, ground forces and air-support units fired at designated targets in coordinated fashion.
Defence Minister Yaşar Güler visited the exercise area and met with observer delegations. Representatives from 38 NATO member countries — including Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States — observed the live-fire phase; the Defence Ministry said target-to-hit matching reached 100%.
The Turkish General Staff said the purpose of the exercise was to test combined planning, command-and-control and joint operations procedures with allied forces. The next major edition is scheduled for 2028; the alliance's regional drills will continue next month in Romania.
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