Turkish Armed Forces personnel takes part NATO’s “Steadfast Dart 2026” exercise, in Hamburg, Germany on February 19, 2026. (AA Photo)
February 26, 2026 06:46 AM GMT+03:00
German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) Operations Command Chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Sollfrank praised the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) for making a “very important contribution” to NATO’s deterrence and defense, following the completion of the NATO Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise.
“The Turkish Armed Forces make a very important contribution to NATO’s deterrence and defense. Impressive, their forces and capabilities are truly remarkable,” Sollfrank told Turkish journalists in Germany.
German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) Operations Command Chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Sollfrank speaking to Turkish journalists in Germany, Feb. 25, 2026. (AA Photo)
German commander calls Turkish military capabilities ‘impressive’
Sollfrank said each of NATO’s 32 members plays an important role in the alliance, singling out Türkiye’s military capabilities and capacity within the Allied Reaction Force as particularly noteworthy.
Türkiye participated in the Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise with approximately 2,000 personnel across land, sea and air domains, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense said.
“The Turkish Armed Forces demonstrated its discipline, professionalism and deterrent power once again through the high coordination, joint operational capability and interoperability it displayed with allied country armies,” the ministry said on the social media platform.
The exercise, which recently concluded in Germany, is part of NATO’s broader efforts to maintain military readiness and test allied procedures.
“What is not exercised does not work,” Sollfrank said, stressing that bringing together forces from different countries to test procedures is “extremely important.”
Turkish soldiers on amphibious vessels take part in NATO’s STEADFAST DART 26 exercise in Putlos, Germany, on February 18, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Sollfrank warns of persistent Russian threat on NATO’s eastern flank
Sollfrank said the threat to NATO’s eastern flank is ever-present, noting that espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks and information operations are occurring daily.
He said Russia continues large-scale rearmament despite the war in Ukraine, increasing troop numbers and expanding ammunition and military equipment stockpiles.
Referencing Russia’s history of occupying neighboring countries, Sollfrank said the 2022 invasion of Ukraine should be viewed within that broader pattern.
Asked whether the Bundeswehr is ready for war, Sollfrank responded: “We are ready for war, we call it ‘Fight Tonight.'”
He said the German military is growing stronger every day, with increased defense budgets and political will. Germany plans to increase its troop numbers to 460,000, with investments in modern weapons systems and ammunition, Sollfrank said.
“We have a defense plan and we can implement it tomorrow. Everything is ready and we are improving it every day,” he concluded.
February 26, 2026 06:46 AM GMT+03:00