The Distinguished Observer Day of the Winter-2025 Exercise Conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) Concluded
The Distinguished Observer Day of the Winter-2025 Exercise, carried out by the 14th Mechanized Infantry Brigade under the command of the 9th Corps of the 3rd Army Command, was completed in Kars.
A total of 12,199 personnel participated in the exercise, including 12,000 personnel from the Ministry of National Defence, the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, the Turkish Land Forces Command, the Turkish Naval Forces Command, the Turkish Air Forces Command, the Special Forces Command, and civilian public institutions and organizations from Türkiye, as well as 199 personnel from the USA, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, the UK, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Georgia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Libya, Niger, Tajikistan, and Jordan.
The exercise aimed to ensure cooperation and coordination in the execution of joint and combined operations, enhance the synchronization of firing and maneuvering, improve the training level for unit deployment, shelter, catering, and maintenance activities while increasing survivability and operating command and control systems in winter conditions.
During Winter-2025 Exercise, several indigenous and national systems were also used for the first time, including:
Modernized Armored Combat Vehicle with Unmanned NEFER Turret,
Lightweight Infantry Rifle (MPT-76),
5.56mm Light Machine Gun,
Dragoneye-2 Thermal Camera,
Caged-Protected Mini UAV,
BOYGA Rotary-Wing UAV,
ASLAN-3 and BARKAN Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs),
ZMA-X Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV),
MİLKED-3A3 Electronic Support System,
UMA Reconnaissance and Surveillance System.
The Winter-2025 Joint Combined Live-Fire Field Exercise, was carried out on a comprehensive scale, including scenarios such as crisis and combat periods. In this context, the exercise simulated the escalating tensions between the "Atmaca (Sparrowhawk)" and "Şahin (Buzzard)" countries, leading to a decisive battle process. The tension scenario was supported by visuals, news reports, and scenarios prepared by the Ministry of National Defence, reflecting modern warfare scenarios.
Throughout the exercise, activities such as mortar fire missions, Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, cooperation and coordination in combined operations, testing the combat capabilities of units, fire synchronization and maneuvering, training in logistics, and other critical topics were carried out.
During the press briefing, Colonel Serdar Başer, Secretary General of the 3rd Army Command, provided information regarding the exercise. Following the briefing, the equipment used by the Commando Teams was introduced. Additionally, the Natural Disaster Search and Rescue Battalion and the unit participating from Azerbaijan presented information about their equipment.
As part of the training scenario, a special forces team composed of personnel from participating countries conducted an infiltration operation against a designated enemy target. The special forces, who were deployed by helicopters, successfully completed their mission by destroying caves. The special forces team received close air support from ATAK helicopters during the operation. Hostile targets identified by Armed UAVs were struck with artillery fire, while another target was destroyed by a Bayraktar TB2 Armed UAV.
During the Air Interdiction Operation, ATAK helicopters detected and eliminated the reserve tank battalion of the opposing force before advancing on the battlefield. The helicopters hit their targets with pinpoint accuracy. A CİRİT missile was launched from an armoured anti-tank vehicle, while the Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV successfully destroyed its target with smart munitions. Furthermore, ATAK helicopters maneuvered behind the tank platoon and neutralized their targets using indigenously developed CİRİT and UMTAS missiles. A Medivac (Medical evacuation) operation was conducted for a friendly tank that was damaged while advancing through a minefield, while howitzers and tanks executed fire missions. Additionally, a rescue vehicle evacuated an APC that had previously triggered a mine.
New-type winter uniforms, which are resistant to -25°C, tactical vests, and indigenous CBRN suits, were also used during the exercise. In the final phase, the sniper team composed of joint forces took the enemy's machine gun and anti-tank weapon positions under fire. Turkish soldiers hit the targets using the indigenous KN-12 sniper rifle. Aselsan's ZMA-X Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), which was converted into an unmanned system by integrating remote control and autonomous mobility capabilities into the modernized ACV-15 of the Turkish Land Forces, also participated in the Winter Exercise.
Speaking at the Winter-2025 Joint Combined Live-Fire Field Exercise, Turkish Land Forces Commander General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu stated that during the exercise, which covers every phase of combat and demonstrates the training level, maneuver, and firepower of the units, as well as coordination between different branches in severe winter conditions, Army units successfully executed airborne and exploitation operations under the protection of fire support assets in challenging terrain and weather. Highlighting that today's security environment is more complex and uncertain than ever, Bayraktaroğlu said: "Türkiye, an indispensable element of the security architecture and a game-changer in the international arena, is now a global actor in this geographical region and critical period with its strong and deterrent army."
Bayraktaroğlu noted that the Turkish Land Forces, equipped with the capabilities and opportunities provided by the ever-developing indigenous and national defense industry, have carried out the most intense and effective operations of the past century, achieving outstanding success, particularly in combating terrorism and securing borders. Expressing that every kind of mission has been successfully executed across three continents and seven climates for the establishment of global peace and stability, Bayraktaroğlu continued as follows: "The Land Forces Command is successfully performing all types of missions across three continents and seven climates to ensure global peace and stability. With its combat experience, superior maneuverability and capabilities, fire support, UAV and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, highly trained and qualified personnel, and a 2,234-year history dating back to Mete Han, the Turkish Land Forces—one of the world's most elite forces—proudly utilize vehicles, weapons, and systems produced by our defense industry. These have proven themselves on the battlefield, changed the course of combat, and demonstrated their role as a force multiplier. The impact of systems and equipment produced with indigenous and national resources is clearly evident in the successful execution of these missions under different geographical and climatic conditions. I want to emphasize that we are number one in using and managing UAV technologies. We also hold a leading position in the field of electronic warfare. The active use of these systems by the armies of friendly and allied nations is a distinct source of pride for us. On the other hand, the Altay main battle tank—a product of Turkish engineers with superior mobility, survivability, and firepower compared to its peers—will join this success story and take its place in the next exercise. Today, in addition to the special equipment and training required for operations conducted under harsh winter conditions, we have observed firsthand the meticulously planned and seamlessly functioning sustenance, supply, and maintenance systems—some of which operate behind the scenes—during the execution of this exercise"
