Türkiye and France have embarked on a new chapter of defence collaboration with the signing of a comprehensive road map aimed at enhancing their security and defence cooperation. This agreement, formalized by Türkiye’s Defence Ministry, is designed to establish a robust framework for mutual cooperation based on shared interests between the two nations.
The road map outlines several key areas of collaboration, including intelligence sharing, air defence, military training, and joint defence industry projects. It emphasizes the importance of regular security consultations and coordination to effectively counter hybrid threats. The agreement also seeks to improve compatibility between the defence systems of both countries.
Further, the cooperation plan includes joint training and capacity-building initiatives in third countries, aimed at promoting regional stability. Military cooperation will be expanded through personnel exchanges between military academies and joint exercises involving land, naval, and air forces. Port visits are also part of the expanded military engagements.
In addition to these measures, Ankara and Paris are committed to fostering joint defence projects, enhancing technology and information sharing, and increasing the collaboration between their respective defence companies. To facilitate this, bilateral defence meetings will be held alternately in the two capitals, with the inaugural meeting scheduled for the final quarter of 2026.
Separately, Türkiye’s Defence Ministry has criticized Israel’s military operations in southern Syria, accusing it of violating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk, a spokesperson for the ministry, highlighted concerns over Israeli activities such as raids and strikes near the separation line in Quneitra, urging international intervention to maintain regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, confidence-building efforts continue between Türkiye and Greece, with military delegations from both nations engaged in exchanges and discussions under the 2026 Confidence-Building Measures Implementation Plan. In border security developments, Turkish authorities reported the surrender of one PKK member and the apprehension of 660 individuals attempting illegal border crossings in the past week. Since the start of 2026, a total of 13,366 unauthorized crossings have been intercepted, with 53,870 individuals prevented from entering illegally.