The Ministry of National Defence has announced that Türkiye participated with its air defence assets in the Eastern Shield 2026 Air and Missile Defence Exercise, hosted by Romania. Within the scope of the exercise, conducted between 16 September and 2 October 2026, Türkiye's national air defence systems were displayed at a vehicle, weapon and equipment exhibition held to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Air Defence Branch. The photographs shared show the KORKUT, SUNGUR and HİSAR-O systems.
Three-Layer Air Defence Family Together
The systems displayed represent different altitude layers of Türkiye's multi-layered air defence architecture, ÇELİKKUBBE. KORKUT, as a gun-based low-altitude air defence system, is effective against close-range targets. SUNGUR, as a man-portable air defence missile capable of being fired from the shoulder or from a platform, is used against UAVs, helicopters and aircraft at low altitude. HİSAR-O, as a medium-altitude air defence missile, provides a broader protection area. The photographs capture moments of Turkish military personnel introducing the systems to their Romanian counterparts.
National Systems Displayed Abroad
The display of Turkish air defence systems at a multinational exercise held abroad demonstrates that recent progress in this field is finding recognition on international platforms. The SİPER 2's recent attainment of Full Operational Capability, the HİSAR family's place in the inventory, and SUNGUR's success in test firings all illustrate the maturation process of Türkiye's air defence ecosystem.
Main Positions Occupied at Capu Midia
According to the Ministry of National Defence's statement, following the exhibition, Turkish elements occupied their main positions at Capu Midia/Constanța and began exercise activities. Eastern Shield 2026 stands out as a comprehensive exercise aimed at strengthening air defence capabilities on NATO's eastern flank. Romania's strategic position on the Black Sea coast adds further significance to the exercise. The participation of Turkish systems in this exercise also constitutes an important reference in terms of interoperability to NATO standards.
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