Turkish Ejder Yalçın armored vehicles appeared alongside other Turkish weaponry and equipment during Syrian army military maneuvers and exercises—a new indication of the growing defense and military cooperation between Damascus and Ankara since the fall of the previous regime in late 2024.
These scenes emerge as the Syrian government moves to reorganize and rebuild its armed forces and enhance their readiness, while simultaneously expanding military cooperation with Turkey in areas such as training, expertise, equipment, and technical support.
The Ministries of Defense of Syria and Turkey signed a defense cooperation agreement on August 13, 2025, which, according to official statements, aimed to bolster the Syrian army’s capabilities and develop its institutions and structure.
The agreement encompassed military training, the exchange of expertise, the provision of consultancy, technical and logistical support, and cooperation regarding weapon systems and defense equipment. In the following months, cooperation between the two countries shifted from the level of agreements and military visits to more visible joint training activities.
In May 2026, Syrian army units participated for the first time in the multinational EFES-2026 exercises organized by Turkey; these included land, naval, and air exercises, amphibious operations, live-fire drills, and coordination among military formations from various countries.
The Syrian Chief of General Staff, Major General Ali al-Naasan, also participated in the final phase of these exercises.
The SANA news agency reported at the time that the participation was part of efforts to enhance professional training and operational capabilities, as well as to utilize modern combat methods and joint planning mechanisms.
The Ejder Yalçın is one of the most significant armored vehicles manufactured by the Turkish company Nurol Makina.
It is a tactical, four-wheel-drive armored vehicle designed to operate in urban and rural environments, as well as on rugged terrain. Variants are available for personnel transport, command and control, reconnaissance, air defense, and armored ambulance roles, featuring protection levels designed to withstand mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The armored vehicle had previously appeared at the EFES-2026 event in Turkey, where Nurol Makina showcased the armored ambulance version of the Ejder Yalcin alongside other Turkish military vehicles.
However, the nature and quantities of the Turkish weapons and vehicles incorporated into Syrian army formations have not been officially disclosed in detail; consequently, determining the scale of deliveries or military contracts requires additional official data from the defense ministries of both countries.
Throughout 2026, reciprocal visits between Syrian and Turkish military delegations continued, including discussions on military training and the development of the capabilities of officers and military institutions.
The Turkish Ministry of Defence also announced its continued support for developing the Syrian army’s capabilities within the framework of the existing military cooperation agreement between the two countries.
