The Turkish Air Force's Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft are playing a critical role in ensuring air security during the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Ankara.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the AEW&C aircraft, stationed at the 3rd Main Jet Base in Konya, will perform early warning and surveillance tasks within Turkish airspace throughout the duration of the summit.
Equipped with advanced radar systems, these aircraft are capable of conducting 360-degree surveillance, allowing them to simultaneously track multiple aerial targets at distances of up to 400 kilometers.
Major Fatih Kulak, the aircraft's mission commander, stated that the primary objective is to guarantee the security of Turkey's airspace during the NATO summit. He noted that any unidentified aircraft approaching the airspace will be immediately detected, with operational data provided for rapid identification.
It was reported that as part of the summit's security measures, the AEW&C fleet will conduct a total of 11 sorties, providing 60 hours of continuous service.
Known as the "Peace Eagle" (Barış Kartalı), these aircraft possess the capability to transmit real-time data on aerial and maritime targets to operational centers, fighter jets, and naval vessels. These AEW&C platforms are considered one of the Turkish Air Force's key strategic assets, frequently utilized in NATO missions, national exercises, and various military operations to maintain situational awareness and command and control superiority.
