Turkey breaks ground on Somalia's first spaceport to boost strategic ties
Turkey breaks ground on Somalia's first spaceport to boost strategic ties
Turkey breaks ground on Somalia's first spaceport to boost strategic ties
Turkey Builds Spaceport in Somalia
Teaser Turkey has begun constructing a spaceport in Somalia, an ambitious project that further strengthens the strategic ties between Ankara and Mogadishu. Selçuk Bayraktar, CEO of defense firm Baykar and son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, announced the initiative, as reported by AGI news agency. The project marks a key milestone in Turkey's government-backed space program. | News from Italy and around the world – our website News
December 12, 2025
Selçuk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar and son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, unveiled the project, according to reports from AGI. The initiative represents a cornerstone of Turkey's ambitious space program, championed by the government.
Bayraktar explained that the project includes a launch facility. "We will have a launchpad. Somalia, with its geographic advantages, is perfectly suited to host a spaceport. [...] We hope to conduct our first launches soon," stated the CEO of Baykar, a leading drone manufacturer.
Strengthened Ties Turkey and Somalia have deepened their partnership over more than two decades of cooperation. Ankara's presence in the African nation is substantial: it has built a large embassy, a hospital named after Erdoğan, and a military base for training Somali forces. Turkish humanitarian aid to Somalia exceeds one billion dollars. Flag carrier Turkish Airlines operates direct flights between Mogadishu and Istanbul.
Decade-Long Military Commitment A ten-year defense agreement binds Turkey to training Somalia's coastal and naval forces, supporting patrols and countering "piracy, terrorism, and any external threats." The pact underscores the strategic depth of the two nations' alliance.