The Anatolian Eagle Is Looking Eastward

Ariel Cohen / October 15, 2010

In late September–early October, China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)’s SU-27 fighters participated for the first time in the Turkish military’s aerial maneuvers. By including the PLAAF in these maneuvers (known as “Anatolian Eagle”) Ankara is signaling another shift in its geopolitical orientation, as well as the emergence of a new strategic partner besides Washington: Beijing. The U.S. policymakers should pay better attention to the ongoing tectonic shifts of the geopolitical plates.

The Chinese and Turkish air forces conducted joint military exercises in the Turkish- Anatolian region of Konya. The Turkish air force is NATO-integrated and equipped. The backbone the of Turkish air force are F-16s, while China uses Russian- and Chinese-built planes, including Sukhois. (more…)