Turkey’s role in rebuilding the Syrian military, 2025–26
Two tracks, moving at different speeds.
Institutional training, education, command reform
Defence cooperation agreement signed in Ankara
Syria’s training chief tours the National Defence University
49 cadets enter Turkish academies: 10 army, 18 navy, 21 air force
Syrian units join EFES-2026, their first exercise abroad
Syrian delegation returns to the NDU on expanding military education
Turkish naval commander meets Syrian counterparts at Latakia
Material weapons, equipment, logistics
Agreement creates the mechanism for weapons and logistics supply
Officials discuss armoured vehicles, drones, artillery, missiles, air defence
No public inventory confirms Turkish equipment in Syrian service
The institutional track is running ahead of the material one. Turkey is already inside Syrian training, officer education and command reform, while the equipment relationship remains largely prospective. Hollow markers denote steps that are agreed or discussed rather than verified.