Turkish Fighter Jets Take Part in Somali National Army Anniversary Celebrations

Somalia, 13 April 2026 For a moment, residents of Mogadishu witnessed an unusual sight on Sunday—fighter jets flying overhead in a display during the 66th anniversary of the Somali National Army.

The questions many asked after the event were: Who owns these aircraft? How much do they cost? What exactly are fighter jets, and why are they important for national security?

The fighter jets, identified as F-16s, belong to the Turkish government, which maintains extensive cooperation agreements with Somalia, including in the security sector. These are military aircraft specifically designed to engage other aircraft and protect a country’s airspace, while also capable of carrying out air-to-ground strikes, as seen in various operations in Somalia.

They are defined by three key characteristics: high speed, strong maneuverability, and the ability to carry advanced weaponry such as missiles and cannons, with a payload capacity of up to around 7,000 kilograms.