Turkey Arms Somalia’s Elite Gorgor Commandos with M60 Tanks: Turnkey Security from TURKSOM

Summary: Turkey is arming Somalia’s most elite unit — the Gorgor (“Eagle”) commandos — with heavy armor. In February 2026 the Turkish Navy landing ship TCG Sancaktar delivered 10-15 M48/M60 Patton tanks to Mogadishu, while training runs on a dual track between Camp TURKSOM — Turkey’s largest overseas base — and commando schools in Isparta. With the African Union’s ATMIS mission withdrawing by mid-2026, Turkey is becoming Mogadishu’s “primary security guarantor.”

According to military.africa (24-31 May 2026), Turkey is providing main battle tanks and comprehensive training to Somalia’s special-forces Gorgor commandos. The tanks arrived on 14 February 2026 aboard the Turkish Navy landing ship TCG Sancaktar — one of the most concrete steps in a Turkey-Somalia defense partnership now approaching a decade since Camp TURKSOM opened in 2017.

Camp TURKSOM, Turkey’s largest overseas military facility, has trained thousands of Somali soldiers since 2017. Photo: military.africa.

At a Glance

What happened? Turkey is supplying M48/M60 tanks and training to Somalia’s Gorgor commandos
Tanks: 10-15 M48A5T2 / M60, delivered 14 Feb 2026 by TCG Sancaktar
Earlier: 20+ BMC Kirpi MRAPs (2020-21), 3 T129 ATAK (Jun 2025), 2 naval helicopters
Training: Camp TURKSOM (Mogadishu) + Isparta commando schools
Base: Camp TURKSOM, 4 km² — Turkey’s largest overseas facility
Context: ATMIS withdraws mid-2026; Turkey is primary security guarantor

What Was Delivered?

The delivered tanks are primarily M48A5T2 variants: refurbished hulls with 750-hp diesel engines, 105 mm M68 cannons, thermal fire-control systems and laser rangefinders. Turkey — which maintains roughly 1,500 M48 tanks and has operated and locally upgraded the type for decades — can bundle spare parts and the training chain alongside the platforms.

The tanks did not arrive alone: Somalia had previously received more than 20 BMC Kirpi MRAPs (2020-2021), three T129 ATAK attack helicopters (June 2025) and two utility helicopters for the Somali Navy — an integrated land-air package, not a one-off donation.

The M60/M48 Patton main battle tank, from hulls upgraded by the Turkish Army. Photo: illustrative.

Training: A Dual-Track Curriculum

Instruction runs at two locations: the TURKSOM Military Training Academy in Mogadishu and specialized commando schools in Isparta, Turkey. Turkish instructors have trained multiple infantry cohorts over the past decade and now emphasize heavy-armor mechanics and tactical maneuvering, with maintenance modules covering engine and hydraulic systems so Somalia can sustain the platforms independently.

The T129 ATAK attack helicopter; Somalia received three in 2025. Photo: TAI.

Why It Matters

As the African Union’s ATMIS mission withdraws by mid-2026, Turkey is filling the resulting security vacuum. As one of the few countries able to provide tanks, MRAPs, attack helicopters and training from a single source — backed by its own industry — Turkey is becoming Mogadishu’s primary security guarantor, showing that its defense sector can export not just platforms but a turnkey security ecosystem.