Turkish forces showcase indigenous systems in NATO's Steadfast Dart 26 exercise

2026-02-19 - 21:12

Turkish Land Forces units demonstrated their operational capabilities Thursday during the land phase of NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise, NATO's largest live exercise of the year, organized by Joint Force Command Brunssum and hosted by Germany at the Bergen training area near Hannover. The 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, serving within NATO's Allied Reaction Force, participated with an artillery battery, combat engineer direct support, and a field company alongside forces from more than 10 allied nations. Operational Scenario and Coordination The exercise featured live-fire operations from air and land, with scenarios involving territory seizure and area security operations. Turkish mechanized units conducted coordinated maneuvers with Italian counterparts to liberate an enemy-controlled area and establish security, demonstrating interoperability among allied ground forces. Participants from Türkiye, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic executed complex operational scenarios testing combined arms capabilities. Display of Indigenous Defense Systems Following the scenario execution, participating nations showcased their equipment and systems. Türkiye displayed a range of domestically developed platforms currently operational with the Turkish Army, including Kirpi 2 mine-resistant vehicles, Vuran armored vehicles, Caki vehicles, Boran 105 mm towed howitzers, Sungur portable air defense systems, and Aselsan's "Aslan" unmanned ground vehicle. The exhibition highlighted Türkiye's growing defense industrial base and its integration into NATO operational frameworks.