Three Turkish F-16 fighter jets performed a high-speed flyover in Mogadishu to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the Somali National Army (SNA).
This aerial display marked the first time Turkey has officially confirmed the presence of its manned combat aircraft in Somalia. The display took place on Sunday, 12 April 2026, during a large-scale parade at the Ministry of Defense. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the ceremony alongside senior military leadership to mark the founding of the national force in 1960. The parade showcased several Somali National Army (SNA) units and modern hardware, including the Kirpi armored vehicles and utility trucks, which were delivered by Turkey in 2020. The F-16s were joined by T129 Atak attack helicopters and AS-532 Cougar transport helicopters, flying over the Ministry of Defence headquarters.
The appearance of the multi-role fighters followed a deployment to Mogadishu International Airport in January 2026. It also signals a broader regional shift, with Turkey aligning with Egypt and Saudi Arabia to balance maritime influence in the Red Sea. The F-16s, which serve as the backbone of the Turkish Air Force (TuAF), are part of an inventory of roughly 260 aircraft currently undergoing modernization through the Viper and local ÖZGÜR programs.
The flyover is the latest in a series of major equipment transfers and deployments from Turkey over the last 18 months. In March 2025, Somalia acquired the Bayraktar Akıncı Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). This platform provides a significant upgrade over the earlier Bayraktar TB2, offering a 1,500-kilogram payload capacity and the ability to carry precision-guided munitions like the MK-82 bomb and Bozok guided missiles.
Further boosting the SNA’s tactical mobility, Turkey delivered three T-129 Atak attack helicopters in June 2025. These rotary-wing assets are specifically tasked with supporting counter-terrorism operations against al-Shabab. The delivery followed an intensive training program for Somali pilots conducted by Turkish instructors, on 5 June 2025. This specialized training builds on a foundation established at the TURKSOM military base, which opened in 2017 and has since graduated thousands of Somali personnel.
Ground forces have also seen a surge in direct support. In April 2025, Turkey deployed an additional 500 counter-terrorism troops to Mogadishu to protect critical infrastructure and oversee drone operations. This presence is part of a 10-year defense and economic pact signed in February 2024. Under this agreement, Turkey provides maritime security and military training in exchange for a percentage of revenues from Somalia’s offshore oil and gas extraction.
The deepening partnership is not limited to Turkish involvement. In February 2026, Egypt also expanded its military presence in the capital, with Cairo and Ankara coordinating to support Somali territorial integrity. This multi-national support framework aims to professionalize the SNA as it takes over full security responsibilities from departing African Union transition forces.
The cost of a single F-16 ranges between $50 million and $80 million, while more advanced versions can exceed $100 million when equipment and support packages are included.
The F-16 flight serves as a visible deterrent and a reminder of the sophisticated airpower now available to defend the Somali state. As the TuAF continues to modernize its Block 70 fleet, older but capable airframes remain essential for projecting power in the Horn of Africa. The next phase of cooperation is expected to focus on integrating the newly delivered UCAVs and attack helicopters into a unified command structure to sustain recent territorial gains.