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Türkiye might have delivered M48 Patton main battle tanks to Somalia aboard the landing ship TCG Sancaktar, according to reports and footage showing the tanks moving through the capital in convoy after being offloaded at Mogadishu port.
The delivery has not been officially confirmed by Turkish authorities.
Footage shows Somali forces receiving the tanks directly at the port following their arrival by sea, indicating immediate operational transfer rather than a training-only deployment. The delivery might be just an additional deployment by Turkish forces to support their military bases in Somalia.
Some reports suggest M60 Patton tanks and ammunition were also included in the shipment.
The delivered vehicles include M48 Patton tanks previously operated by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF).
Türkiye maintains an inventory of roughly 1,500 M48 tanks.
A portion of these vehicles was modernized in the early 1990s and designated M48A5T1, while nearly half underwent further upgrades and received the M48A5T2 designation.
The M48 and M60 Patton series are main battle tanks originally developed during the Cold War era and later upgraded by multiple operators.
A statement on Feb. 13 from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense on X noted that: "A visit was conducted to Somalia by Navy Chief of Staff Vice Adm.
Mustafa Kaya and the accompanying delegation to evaluate and inspect on site, from logistical, operational, and technical perspectives, the duties to be carried out in Somalia by the Somali Naval Task Group, as well as the activities of the Amphibious Marine Infantry Company and engineer elements to be assigned under the Somali Turkish Task Force Command."
"Our vessel TCG Sancaktar, carrying our naval delegation, was welcomed by Somali ministers and commanders upon arrival at Mogadishu Port," the statement added.
The tank delivery follows a series of Turkish military deployments to Somalia in recent months.
Turkish F-16 fighter jets landed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu in late January 2026, representing Türkiye's first forward stationing of manned combat aircraft in Somalia, according to reports.
On Feb. 5, Ministry of National Defense sources confirmed the Turkish Air Unit Command in Somalia has been "reinforced" with new deployments.
"The Somalia-Turkish Task Force and Air Unit Command stationed in Somalia continue to contribute to the development of Somalia's counterterrorism capacity through military assistance, training, and advisory activities," the ministry said.
"Our Air Unit Command in Somalia has been reinforced with new assignments. Our newly assigned elements will also contribute to Somalia's counterterrorism efforts," the ministry added.
Before the aircraft deployment, Türkiye transferred three T129 ATAK attack helicopters to Somalia under an expanded defense cooperation agreement.
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