By Bosphorus News Defense Desk
Türkiye's Defense Ministry reiterated its offer to negotiate a maritime boundary with Egypt on October 28, saying Cairo could gain more than 15,000 square kilometres of maritime jurisdiction compared with a potential agreement with Greece. The figure is Ankara's estimate; Egypt has not accepted the proposal.
Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk delivered the ministry's weekly briefing in Ankara, which also covered talks with the United States over six F-35 fighters, planned British transport aircraft and military contacts with Greece and Egypt.
Egypt Offer Follows Libya Vote
Libya's House of Representatives approved the 2019 Türkiye–Libya maritime memorandum on October 20. Defense Minister Yaşar Güler cited the same 15,000-square-kilometre estimate on October 24, four days before the ministry repeated it. Ankara released no boundary coordinates agreed with Egypt.
Egypt and Greece signed a partial exclusive economic zone (EEZ) delimitation agreement in 2020. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said on October 22 that the two governments were discussing extending it eastward. No further delimitation has been agreed.
The ministry rejected Greek and European Union objections to the Libya memorandum in its October 22 briefing. Its latest remarks concerned a separate proposal for Egypt.
F-35 Discussions and British Transports
The ministry said contacts with Washington continue over six F-35 fighters built for Türkiye. Ankara is also seeking removal of restrictions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and other limits on its defense industry. It announced neither a delivery agreement nor sanctions relief.
The ministry confirmed plans to acquire 12 C-130J transport aircraft from the United Kingdom, citing greater carrying capacity, but provided no delivery dates.
Syria Naval Contact and a Greek Air Force Visit
Turkish naval and defense-industry officials visited Latakia aboard TCG Bora on October 22 to discuss support for Syria's navy. The delegation included commanders responsible for shipbuilding, logistics and training, as well as representatives of defense company ASFAT. No equipment transfer or contract was announced.
Under the Türkiye–Greece confidence-building measures plan, Greece's Tactical Air Force commander and a delegation are due to visit Türkiye's Combat Air Force commander on November 3–5. The ministry gave no agenda.
Egypt Exercise, Black Sea Talks and Overseas Missions
Turkish and Egyptian naval units are due to hold the Friendship Sea 2026 exercise off Alexandria on November 4–9. The schedule includes surface warfare, anti-submarine and air-defense drills, and underwater assault training. The exercise follows joint air training earlier this year; maritime delimitation remains a separate issue.
Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu travelled to Sofia on October 28 to meet Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts. The three countries operate a joint Black Sea mine-countermeasures group whose remit now includes critical underwater infrastructure. The ministry's initial account gave no details of any new agreement.
Turkish frigates TCG Gökçeada and TCG Yıldırım are due to depart for Somalia on October 30, carrying equipment and personnel for a rotation. Türkiye assumed the deputy command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) on October 27 for one year.
Sinjar, Equipment and Border Figures
On Iraq, the ministry supported Baghdad's efforts to place security in Sinjar under government forces rather than armed groups. It announced no new Turkish operation or confirmed withdrawal of all armed groups from the district.
The Land Forces accepted Karayel Karinalı boats and Kablolu Kamikaze-2 unmanned ground vehicles. Defense manufacturer MKE delivered MAM-15 sniper rifles to defense-industry partners. Quantities were not disclosed.
Aktürk reported that two members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) surrendered during the previous week. He said 422 people were apprehended attempting irregular border crossings, bringing the ministry's year-to-date total to 14,629.
Sources: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of National Defense, Reuters, United Nations Treaty Collection, Anadolu Agency, Bosphorus News review and reporting.