ANKARA, Türkiye — Somali Gorgor officers participated in the Best International Military Drone Team Competition (BIMDTC-2026), hosted by the Turkish Land Forces in Ankara, bringing together military personnel from countries across different regions.
The competition aimed to promote international military cooperation, encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience, and strengthen collaboration in unmanned aerial systems.
The event brought together representatives from 32 countries, including Somalia and Sudan, with 18 countries competing and 14 participating as observers, according to Turkish Defence Ministry information.
The competition ran from Oct. 19 to 26, with the final rounds and awards ceremony held on Oct. 24 at Martyr Army Pilot First Lieutenant Gürcan Ulucan Square in Temelli, in Ankara’s Sincan district.
Türkiye’s first Land Forces team won the competition, completing a course featuring 23 obstacles in 41.417 seconds. Pakistan finished second with 50.253 seconds, followed by Italy in third place with 50.680 seconds and France in fourth with 57.142 seconds, according to Anadolu Agency.
Somalia’s participation comes as military cooperation and the development of technical capabilities remain important elements of the country’s efforts to strengthen its armed forces.
The competition also featured exhibitions and demonstrations by Turkish defence industry companies showcasing unmanned aerial vehicles and counter-drone systems.
Turkish military officials said the event was designed to improve professional interaction among participating countries and provide a platform for sharing military expertise, particularly as unmanned systems become increasingly important in modern military operations.
Somalia’s Gorgor forces are among the country’s military units involved in national security operations. Participation in international military activities provides opportunities for personnel to engage with counterparts from other countries and gain exposure to emerging military technologies and practices.
