Turkey is set to deliver T129 ATAK helicopters to Somalia’s navy, a major military boost under a broad bilateral defence pact signed earlier this year, Bloomberg has reported. The deployment of these advanced combat helicopters—designed for counterinsurgency—marks a significant escalation in efforts to support Somalia’s fight against the Al-Shabaab militant group.
The deal, signed in February 2025, is part of a 10-year strategic agreement between Ankara and Mogadishu. It allows Turkey to train, equip, and modernize Somalia’s defence forces, further deepening ties between the two nations. The move complements other major pacts, including a hydrocarbons exploration and production agreement that grants Turkish Petroleum Corporation operational rights in Somalia’s onshore oil and gas sector.
Turkish defence officials defended the military engagement, stating, “Turkey’s training, assistance and consultancy activities are intended to ensure security and stability in Somalia and are conducted within the scope of bilateral agreements.” They emphasized that these efforts aim to prevent terrorist threats—particularly those targeting joint economic projects—and ensure the safety of Turkish personnel and Somali forces in the region.
While Somali government ministries have yet to publicly comment on the latest developments, the pact underscores Somalia’s growing reliance on Turkey as a key security and development partner. Ankara’s presence in the Horn of Africa has expanded significantly in the past decade, through military training, humanitarian support, infrastructure projects, and diplomatic mediation.
Turkey has also played a prominent role in regional diplomacy, including hosting reconciliation talks between Somalia and Ethiopia, and mediating tensions involving the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland.
Analysts say Turkey’s military and economic investments are reshaping the geopolitical dynamics of the Horn of Africa, a strategically important region increasingly contested by global powers. With enhanced military cooperation and energy sector integration, Turkey is positioning itself as a long-term security stakeholder and economic partner in Somalia’s future.
