Anatolian Eagle 2025 titolo
L’edizione 2025 dell’esercitazione Anatolian Eagle, svoltasi presso la base aerea di Konya dal 23 giugno al 4 luglio, ha visto il ritorno della Türk Hava Kuvvetleri (Forza Aerea turca) come protagonista dopo l’interruzione del 2024 a causa dei lavori programmati sulla pista principale. Organizzata presso l’Anatolian Eagle Training Center, uno dei quattro centri di addestramento avanzato al mondo, l’attività si è articolata in due fasi, una nazionale ed una internazionale, coinvolgendo complessi scenari realistici volti a migliorare la cooperazione e l’efficacia operativa tra le forze partecipanti. All’esercitazione hanno preso parte attiva sette Paesi — Stati Uniti, Azerbaigian, Qatar, Arabia Saudita, Giordania, Ungheria e NATO — e quattro osservatori: Malesia, Singapore, Oman ed Emirati Arabi Uniti. Le varie nazioni hanno rischierato in totale una trentina di velivoli, tra cui 12 F-16 USAF (31st FW), due Su-25 Azeri, tre Typhoon del Qatar, sei F-15SA “Saudi Advanced” sauditi, tre F-16 giordani, tre Gripen ungheresi ed un E-3A AWACS NATO, oltre a circa 45 aerei della Türk Hava Kuvvetleri. Le novità rilevanti dell’edizione sono state l’introduzione di scenari pre-conflitto per esercitazioni su operazioni preventive e deterrenza, l’intercettazione di missili da crociera simulati con sistemi turchi Şimşek e Süper Şimşek, e l’impiego operativo di UAV armati (Akinci, Anka-S, Anka-3) scortati da caccia con equipaggi. L’evento ha integrato simulazioni avanzate con risultati realistici, superando il 90% di coerenza tra missioni virtuali e reali. L’Anatolian Eagle si conferma così come punto di riferimento per l’addestramento aereo multinazionale, rafforzando l’interoperabilità, la deterrenza collettiva e la capacità di risposta a minacce complesse.
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Gli autori desiderano ringraziare l'Ufficio Stampa della Forza Aerea turca e tutto il personale della base aerea di Konya.
Immagini di Matteo Buono e Giovanni Mattioli
Testo di Matteo Buono
Luglio 2025

 

English translation

The 2025 edition of the Anatolian Eagle exercise took place at Konya Air Base from June 23 to July 4, marking the return of the Turkish Air Force as a key player after a hiatus in 2024 due to scheduled maintenance on the main runway. Organized at the Anatolian Eagle Training Center, one of only four advanced training centers in the world, the exercise was divided into two phases: one national and one international. It featured complex and realistic scenarios designed to enhance cooperation and operational effectiveness among the participating forces. Seven countries actively participated in the exercise: the United States, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Hungary, and NATO. Additionally, four other countries attended as observers: Malaysia, Singapore, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. In total, around thirty aircraft were deployed by the various nations, including 12 USAF F-16s (31st Fighter Wing), two Azerbaijani Su-25s, three Qatari Typhoons, six Saudi F-15SA "Saudi Advanced" fighters, three Jordanian F-16s, three Hungarian Gripens, and one NATO E-3A AWACS, along with approximately 45 aircraft from the Turkish Air Force. Notable highlights of this edition included the introduction of pre-conflict scenarios for training in preventive operations and deterrence, the interception of simulated cruise missiles using Turkish Şimşek and Süper Şimşek systems, and the operational deployment of armed UAVs (Akinci, Anka-S, Anka-3) escorted by manned fighter aircraft. The event integrated advanced simulations with realistic outcomes, achieving over 90% consistency between virtual and real missions. Overall, Anatolian Eagle reaffirms its status as a benchmark for multinational air training, strengthening interoperability, collective deterrence, and the ability to respond to complex threats.

The authors would like to thanks the Turkish Air Force Press Office and all the staff of the Konya AB.
Images by Matteo Buono and Giovanni Mattioli
Text by Matteo Buono
July 2025