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The next NATO summit is taking place in Ankara on 7-8 July 2026.

To mark the occasion, this article looks back at some notable NATO and Türkiye moments over the years, starting with the first NATO summit held in Türkiye.

The 2004 Istanbul Summit

The 19th NATO summit was held in Istanbul, Türkiye on 28-29 June 2004. It marked a pivotal moment for the Alliance, as it welcomed seven countries to their first summit as NATO members: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Only a few months before, these countries had joined NATO in its largest round of enlargement to date. This milestone, along with the decisions taken in Istanbul, marked a significant step forward towards regional integration and security cooperation.

Istanbul Cooperation Initiative

Launched at the 2004 NATO Istanbul Summit, the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) aims to enhance security cooperation between NATO and its partners in the Middle East. The current participants of ICI are Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Click through the gallery below to see some highlights from the 2004 Istanbul Summit.

A swirling performance

To put a spin on events on the first day of the 2004 Istanbul Summit, NATO Leaders attended a Sufi whirling performance.

NATO Leaders gather for a dinner before the summit

NATO Leaders pose for a photo on the steps of the Dolmabahce Palace.

The meeting venue

The venue of the 2004 NATO summit was the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center.

Jets in the sky

To mark the start of the summit, fighter jets from the Turkish Stars (Türk Yıldızları) flew in formation over the summit site.

The meeting room

Meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of Heads of State and Government

NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting

In the NATO-Ukraine Commission, NATO Leaders met with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma.

Türkiye’s history in NATO

Türkiye has a long history in NATO, stretching back many decades before the 2004 Istanbul Summit. The country joined the Alliance in 1952, in NATO’s first round of enlargement. Since then, it has played a key strategic role securing NATO’s southeastern flank. It has also contributed its forces to NATO’s deterrence and defence activities across the Alliance, and supported NATO’s operations and missions beyond the Alliance’s borders, sending its troops, ships, jets and tanks to help keep its Allies and partners safe.

Find out more about Türkiye’s history in NATO here.

Türkiye in NATO exercises

Turkish forces regularly train alongside their NATO Allies and partners in multinational military exercises, which help troops develop their skills and practise working together. Over the years, this has included both Turkish-hosted exercises and Turkish troops training in other parts of the Alliance. 

Click through the gallery to see exercise photos from the 21st century (for more historical photos, see the linked page on Türkiye's history in NATO above).

Türkiye joins exercise Steadfast Dart 2026

Arrival of the Turkish 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade at Wunstorf Air Base in Northern Germany during exercise Steadfast Dart 26. 

Between January and March 2026, around 10,000 troops from 13 NATO Allies deployed across Europe for exercise Steadfast Dart 26 — the Alliance’s largest and most visible drill of the year. The exercise brought together 17 naval vessels, more than 20 aircraft and roughly 1,500 military vehicles in Germany, testing NATO’s rapid reinforcement and coordination across land, air, sea and cyber domains.

Türkiye joins exercise Steadfast Dart 2026

Arrival of the Turkish 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade at Wunstorf Air Base in Northern Germany during exercise Steadfast Dart 26. 

Between January and March 2026, around 10,000 troops from 13 NATO Allies deployed across Europe for exercise Steadfast Dart 26 — the Alliance’s largest and most visible drill of the year. The exercise brought together 17 naval vessels, more than 20 aircraft and roughly 1,500 military vehicles in Germany, testing NATO’s rapid reinforcement and coordination across land, air, sea and cyber domains.

Türkiye joins exercise Steadfast Dart 2026

A Turkish medical unit practises providing vital, wide-ranging medical support during exercise Steadfast Dart 26.

Between January and March 2026, around 10,000 troops from 13 NATO Allies deployed across Europe for exercise Steadfast Dart 26 — the Alliance’s largest and most visible drill of the year. The exercise brought together 17 naval vessels, more than 20 aircraft and roughly 1,500 military vehicles in Germany, testing NATO’s rapid reinforcement and coordination across land, air, sea and cyber domains.

Türkiye joins exercise Steadfast Dart 2026

A Turkish TB3 drone lines up on the flight deck of TCG Anadolu during exercise Steadfast Dart 26.

Between January and March 2026, around 10,000 troops from 13 NATO Allies deployed across Europe for exercise Steadfast Dart 26 — the Alliance’s largest and most visible drill of the year. The exercise brought together 17 naval vessels, more than 20 aircraft and roughly 1,500 military vehicles in Germany, testing NATO’s rapid reinforcement and coordination across land, air, sea and cyber domains.

Türkiye hosts exercise Anatolian Phoenix

A group photo from exercise Anatolian Phoenix. (Photo: Azertac)

Türkiye hosted the live-fly exercise Anatolian Phoenix in Konya from 6-17 April 2026. It focused on combat search and rescue operations. Fighter aircraft, helicopters and search and rescue teams practiced joint personnel rescue procedures, tested in the high-intensity environment. The exercise has been held annually in Konya since 2009.

Türkiye hosts exercise Anatolian Phoenix

A snapshot of a Turkish soldier taking cover behind a wall during exercise Anatolian Phoenix. (Photo: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of National Defence / Turkish Air Force)

Türkiye hosted the live-fly exercise Anatolian Phoenix in Konya from 6-17 April 2026. It focused on combat search and rescue operations. Fighter aircraft, helicopters and search and rescue teams practiced joint personnel rescue procedures, tested in the high-intensity environment. The exercise has been held annually in Konya since 2009.

Türkiye hosts exercise Anatolian Phoenix

Aircraft performing a flypast during exercise Anatolian Phoenix (Photo: Report News Agency). 

Türkiye hosted the live-fly exercise Anatolian Phoenix in Konya from 6-17 April 2026. It focused on combat search and rescue operations. Fighter aircraft, helicopters and search and rescue teams practiced joint personnel rescue procedures, tested in the high-intensity environment. The exercise has been held annually in Konya since 2009.

Turkish soldiers at NATO's largest annual maritime drill

Turkish soldiers at NATO's largest annual maritime drill, Exercise Dynamic Mariner / Flotex 25, in the Gulf of Cadiz off southern Spain on 28 March 2025. (AA Photo)

Exercise Dynamic Mariner is a multinational maritime exercise that takes place in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. It aims to enhance Allied naval cooperation, improve operational readiness, and demonstrate the Alliance's ability to secure vital sea lanes in an evolving security environment.

Türkiye leads NATO's VJTF during exercise Steadfast Defender 2021

A close-up of a uniform patch featuring the Turkish flag during exercise Steadfast Defender 2021. 

Steadfast Defender 2021 was a collective defence exercise based on an Article 5 scenario. It involved over 9,000 troops from more than 20 Allies and partners to test rapid deployment and interoperability across Europe and the Atlantic.

Türkiye leads NATO's VJTF during exercise Steadfast Defender 2021

Turkish troops alongside VURAN fighting vehicles during exercise Steadfast Defender 2021.

Steadfast Defender 2021 was a collective defence exercise based on an Article 5 scenario. It involved over 9,000 troops from more than 20 Allies and partners to test rapid deployment and interoperability across Europe and the Atlantic.

Turkish frigate participates in exercise Cooperative Partner in 2003.

The Turkish frigate TCG GOKCEADA took part in NATO exercise Cooperative Partner 2003 in Ukraine.

Cooperative Partner 2003 was a NATO/Partnership for Peace (PfP) joint combined exercise organised between 20 June and 5 July 2003. It focused on crisis-response operations, including humanitarian relief. 

The NATO Response Force holds its first exercise in Türkiye

NATO Response Force (NRF) Demonstration 2003 in Doganbey, Türkiye

The NATO Response Force (NRF) was one of the Alliance’s main military tools for deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.  It was officially launched on 15 October 2003, with the first elements demonstrating their capabilities in a simulated crisis response operation held in Türkiye on 20 November 2003. The exercise aimed to demonstrate the NRF's ability to counter a fictional threat to UN staff and civilians from terrorists and hostile soldiers.

The NATO Response Force holds its first exercise in Türkiye

Turkish soldiers participate in the NATO Response Force demonstration held in Türkiye in November 2003.

The NATO Response Force (NRF) was one of the Alliance’s main military tools for deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.  It was officially launched on 15 October 2003, with the first elements demonstrating their capabilities in a mock crisis response operation held in Türkiye on 20 November 2003. The exercise aimed to demonstrate the NRF's ability to counter a fictional threat to UN staff and civilians from terrorists and hostile soldiers.

Türkiye participates in exercise Cooperative Partner in Ukraine

Turkish soldiers participating in a US Marines weapons familiarisation demonstration.

Exercise Cooperative Partner 2000 was a NATO-led military exercise conducted with Ukraine in 2000. Its aim was to train participants in staff procedures required to conduct peace support operations, including humanitarian assistance, and develop military interoperability.

NATO structures in Türkiye

Türkiye has hosted a number of NATO civilian and military structures, strengthening deterrence and defence along NATO’s southeastern flank and contributing to the overall security of the Alliance.

Allied Land Command (LANDCOM)

Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) was established on 1 December 2012 in Izmir, Türkiye.

LANDCOM oversees all NATO land forces and is the Alliance’s principal advisor on land domain issues. It is one of three single-service commands which support the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, alongside Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) in Germany and Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in the United Kingdom.

NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Türkiye

NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Türkiye is one of NATO’s Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDC). These High Readiness Force Headquarters can command up to 60,000 soldiers each.

Joint ISR: AWACS forward operating air bases

NATO’s radar surveillance aircraft, known as AWACS (Airborne Warning & Control System), provide the Alliance with a solid command and control and air defence system within the Euro-Atlantic region and, when called upon, in support of out-of-area operations. They contribute to NATO’s Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) system.

It is rare to find all 14 of NATO’s AWACS aircraft at their main operating base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, as many are deployed to forward-operating locations, one of which is in Konya, Türkiye.

Allied Air Command İzmir

Allied Air Command İzmir was NATO’s southern air component command. It was located in İzmir, Türkiye and active from 2004 to 2013, when its role was consolidated under Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) in Ramstein, Germany.

Political engagement

NATO and Türkiye regularly engage in political dialogue at all levels, consulting and coordinating to drive forward the Alliance’s objectives. This gallery includes a few examples of high-level meetings, representing thousands of engagements between NATO and Türkiye.

NATO Secretary General visits Türkiye in preparation for Ankara Summit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Ankara, Türkiye on 21-22 April 2026 to engage with national leadership ahead of the Ankara Summit and visit an ASELSAN Technology Base.

In his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Mr Rutte highlighted Türkiye’s contribution to the Alliance and discussed preparations for the upcoming summit.

The Secretary General regularly visits Allies to facilitate consultations, ensure coordination, and strengthen political and defence cooperation across the Alliance.

Informal Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Foreign Ministers’ Session in Antalya

NATO Foreign Ministers met in Antalya, Türkiye to discuss strengthening Allied deterrence and defence, and to move forward preparations for the Summit in The Hague in June 2025. Türkiye has hosted a number of ministerial meetings over the years, welcoming Allied Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs. 

Social dinner for Foreign Ministers following the informal meeting

Following the meeting, the Foreign Minister of Türkiye hosted a social dinner for NATO Foreign Ministers in the ancient city of Side.

NATO's annual Nuclear Policy Symposium takes place in Istanbul

NATO’s annual Nuclear Policy Symposium took place in Istanbul on 21-22 April 2026, bringing together 150 experts from across the Alliance to exchange views on nuclear policy and nuclear deterrence ahead of the Ankara Summit.

Experts from Allied countries also discussed geopolitical shifts and the nuclear landscape, the implications for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as the full spectrum of issues relevant to NATO’s nuclear deterrence and its continuous adaptation.

The Nuclear Policy Symposium has been held annually since 1992.

Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Türkiye

A meeting of the North Atlantic Council with Mediterranean Dialogue invitee countries in Türkiye, 6 May 2019. This is a partnership forum that brings together 29 Allied countries with seven countries from the Mediterranean region.

NATO support to Türkiye

As members of an alliance of 32 countries, NATO Allies stand together in difficult times. For Türkiye, this has included support addressing security concerns and natural disasters.  

NATO Allies and partners aid Türkiye following devastating earthquakes

A C-17 heavy cargo aircraft on Tuesday carrying 500 tents for hundreds of people displaced by the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye in February 2023.

Following a devastating earthquake which struck Türkiye on 6 February 2023, more than 1,400 emergency response personnel from more than twenty NATO Allies and partners – including then-invitees Finland and Sweden – deployed to Türkiye to provide help. At the same time, more than 53,000 Turkish first responders were on the ground.

NATO Allies also agreed to deploy fully-equipped temporary housing to Türkiye, in order to help accommodate people displaced by the earthquakes. Allies and partners flew around 10,000 tents, blankets and pieces of medical equipment to Türkiye. NATO also supported Turkish hospitals, including with X-ray facilities. Thousands of emergency responders from across the Alliance were engaged in the relief efforts, as was invitee Sweden, and partners including Japan.

NATO also set up temporary shelters for 4,000 people left homeless by the earthquakes in Antalya and Iskenderun. NATO Allies also agreed to provide temporary housing for an additional 4,000 people in Defne.

Ballistic missile defence

Ceremony marking the start of the Spanish Patriot deployment in Adana, Türkiye

In December 2012, NATO agreed to augment Türkiye's air defence capabilities to protect the population and territory of the country against ballistic missile threats. Defensive missile systems are deployed because of their fast response time, their ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously and their resistance to electronic jamming.

As a part of NATO Ballistic Missile Defence System, a forward-based radar has been deployed in Kürecik, Türkiye since 2012. The radar installation offers an advanced, permanent capability to detect and intercept ballistic missile threats.

At the end of 2015, NATO agreed to reinforce support in the form of enhanced air patrols; increased intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and a stronger naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

NATO Allies stand together against wildfires

A firefighter flying a helicopter over the wildfires. 

In July 2021, Türkiye experienced over 130 wildfires across 30 provinces. The fires primarily ignited along the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea coasts.

NATO Allies provided assistance including the delivery of ground and air assets which were needed to help contain the spread of the fires. Additionally, the US European Command responded to a request for support by providing Chinook helicopters to aid Türkiye's fight against the fires.

Celebrating ties with NATO

The relationship between Türkiye and NATO has been marked not only by strategic cooperation but also by moments of shared recognition and celebration. This gallery showcases how Türkiye’s ties with NATO have been commemorated across different forms. 

NATO - Türkiye 60th anniversary poster

This poster was designed by the NATO Graphics Service, in collaboration with the Turkish Delegation to NATO, and displayed throughout Istanbul and Ankara in 2012 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Türkiye’s accession to NATO. It says “60 Yıldır Barış ve Güvenlik için Birlikte” (English: “60 years together for peace and security”).

Turkish NATO stamps

For NATO’s fifth anniversary in 1954 (two years after Türkiye joined NATO), the Turkish National Post created a collection of commemorative stamps. 

The stamps depict the unity of the then-14 NATO Allies with three different illustrations: a compass and a map of the Northern Hemisphere (left); a crescent moon and 14 stars over the globe, representing the 14 NATO Allies at that time (centre); and a tree with 14 branches (right).

Check out all the NATO Stamps created by Türkiye (years: 1954, 1962, 1964, 1969, 1972, 1989, 1999).

The 1957 NATO cookbook

'The Best of Taste': NATO's first cookbook, was published in 1957. A gem of culinary diplomacy during the Cold War, it offers a glimpse into the national cuisines of NATO members at the time, highlighting the diverse flavours of the transatlantic Alliance. In the image, you can see the recipe for the Turkish dessert Dilber Dudagi (“Lips of the Beauty”). Check out the full cookbook for other Turkish recipes.