For the first time since 1866, the Turkish navy is preparing to sail for the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, visiting 29 African countries along the way. The 102-day, 15 000 sea mile voyage will boost Turkey’s security and economic ties with African countries, according to experts.
The Barbaros Naval Mission Group under fleet commander Vice Admiral Veysel Kosele, consisting of four vessels including the National Ship project’s Heybeliada Corvette, departed on the journey from the Dardanelle Strait on 18 March.
For the first time since 1866, the Turkish navy is preparing to sail for the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, visiting 29 African countries along the way. The 102-day, 15 000 sea mile voyage will boost Turkey’s security and economic ties with African countries, according to experts.
The Barbaros Naval Mission Group under fleet commander Vice Admiral Veysel Kosele, consisting of four vessels including the National Ship project’s Heybeliada Corvette, departed on the journey from the Dardanelle Strait on 18 March.
The voyage comes amid a major naval build-up by Turkey. The government is building a new generation of naval hardware, including domestic-made amphibious ships, auxiliary ships, radar systems, and coastal security boats and warships.
Ankara has also stepped up involvement in Africa. Turkey currently operates 35 embassies in Africa, up from 12 in 2005. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed interest in increasing Turkey-Africa trade volume to $50 billion by 2015. It stood at $23 billion in 2012, an increase from $9 billion in 2005, according to government figures.
Sinan Ulgen, head of the Istanbul-based Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), told SES Türkiye the naval voyage should be seen as an activity to enhance and strengthen the country’s image as a powerful actor in the region. ”This is an indicator how much Turkey’s interest has been raised during the last years,” he said. “The navy’s visit to Africa would definitely contribute a lot to Turkey’s presence in the region. Its importance could not be underestimated. It should be considered as a parallel development with Ankara’s foreign policies.”
Outreach to Africa started during Turgut Ozal’s presidency in the 1990s. Ankara sent a mechanised unit to Somalia to take part in the UN education mission in 1993 under the umbrella of the Unified Task Force, and rolled out a strategic vision for Africa in 1998.
Fouad Farhaoui, an analyst at the International Strategic Research Organization (USAK), has said that due to the political instability, Turkey could not find a chance to realise its Africa mission until recently. Farhaoui said the visit will open the way to enhance economic relations with Africa and strengthen Ankara’s position against the presence of other nations in the continent. Turkey believes that it is very important to be part of the fierce competition in the continent, where countries like China in particular, India, and Brazil have interests on the continent and in the seas surrounding Africa.
During the last decade Ankara has gradually developed its military and economic relations with African countries. In 2008 Turkey sent a naval vessel to Somalia to assist in the fight against piracy, while Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signed several military agreements with Somalia to take part in military operations in Somalia to secure stability. Under NATO command the navy has also become part of several military missions. In addition to Somalia, Turkey has supported UN operations in Sudan and Liberia.
During the navy’s 29-country voyage, the mission group will test guided missile and artillery systems in the South African Overberg Test Range, and review activities to boost maritime security.
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