Turkey’s Military Support Reshapes Sudan’s War and Regional Power Balance


Turkey Sudan military support has become a decisive factor in the war’s trajectory, with Turkish-made drones and defence technology transforming the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) capabilities. Documents published by the Washington Post revealed that Turkish defence company Baykar covertly funnelled approximately $120 million worth of weapons shipments to the SAF, including at least eight Bayraktar TB2 drones, ground stations, and hundreds of guided munitions . These systems proved decisive in allowing the army to push the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) out of key parts of Khartoum and other strategic hubs in 2025, reshaping the balance of power on several fronts .

What Military Support Does Turkey Provide to Sudan’s Army?Turkey’s military support to Sudan encompasses multiple categories. High-confidence verified support includes traditional armament such as light weapons and munitions, alongside multi-million-dollar defence deals with Baykar bringing Bayraktar-family drone systems to the SAF arsenal . Medium-to-high confidence support includes the presence of Turkish defence contractors and technical teams inside Sudan for system maintenance, assembly, and operational support . Available evidence does not establish the deployment of active-duty Turkish combat units or operational command over SAF battlefields .

How Do Turkish Drones Affect the Battlefield in Sudan?Turkish drones have fundamentally altered the war’s dynamics. In May 2026, the Sudanese Army achieved a feat described as unprecedented: it carried out the first confirmed interception in which one UAV shot down another enemy strategic UAV with an air-to-air missile . Weeks later, in the Tendelti region of White Nile State, a Sudanese Army Akinci UAV intercepted a Chinese-made CH-95 strategic surveillance UAV deployed by the RSF and destroyed it with a direct hit using Roketsan-manufactured air-to-air munitions . The introduction of Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles provided a major capability boost for the SAF, particularly during its 2024–2025 counter-offensives that led to the recapture of Wad Madani and central Khartoum .

Why Is Turkey Supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces?Turkey’s support for the SAF is driven primarily by hard realpolitik rather than ideological affinity. Ankara’s choices are principally guided by securing Red Sea maritime access, opening defence export markets, and positioning for post-war reconstruction rights . Turkey aligns primarily with the sovereign state apparatus and military leadership under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, rather than an independent party ideology . President Erdogan framed Ankara’s role as driven by a “desire to halt the bloodshed and preserve Sudan’s territorial integrity” . Turkey also participates in an emerging geopolitical alignment with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, supporting the principle that recognised sovereign states must remain the primary unit of regional politics .

What Are Turkey’s Red Sea Interests in Sudan?Turkey’s Red Sea interests centre on securing strategic footholds along Sudan’s coastline. Sudan’s Foreign Minister announced Turkey’s intention to rebuild the historic Suakin port on Sudan’s Red Sea coast, including construction of a maritime basin for maintaining civilian and military vessels . The deal is valued at $650 million and follows Turkey’s opening of a $50 million military training base in Somalia, reflecting Ankara’s broader push to expand influence in the region . Securing a strategic foothold along the Sudanese coast positions Ankara favourably among competing regional powers .

Is Turkey Supplying Weapons to Both Sides in Sudan’s Conflict?Evidence indicates Turkey’s weapons have reached both sides indirectly. The Sudanese Air Force shot down an Akinci heavy strike drone belonging to the Ethiopian Air Force using another Akinci . Since 2023, Turkey has sold its weapons exclusively to the government-aligned SAF. However, Turkey also supplies Ethiopia, whose territory has been used as a base for operations supporting the RSF . This dynamic produced the spectacle of one Turkish-made Akinci intercepting another Turkish-made Akinci over Sudan .


What Is the Civilian Cost of Turkish Drone Strikes in Sudan?

The civilian toll of Sudan’s drone warfare has been devastating. UN figures released on 11 May indicate that drones were responsible for more than 80 percent of recorded civilian deaths in Sudan’s war during the first four months of 2026 alone, killing at least 880 people . UNICEF reported that at least 330 children were killed or injured during the first six months of 2026, with drone attacks accounting for 60 percent of child casualties in North Kordofan . UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the escalating use of armed drones by all parties and warned that “escalating drone warfare could push the conflict into an even deadlier phase” .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What economic deals has Turkey signed with Sudan?Turkey and Sudan signed 22 agreements, with plans to increase trade to $10 billion . Bilateral trade reached $680 million in 2022 before declining to $390 million in 2025 due to the war . Turkish investments in Sudan are estimated at $300 million, with Turkish contracting firms completing over 90 projects worth $3 billion .

How does Turkey’s involvement in Sudan compare to other regional powers?Turkey is the chief external actors, with Turkey providing Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones to the SAF. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Russia, and Qatar have also been involved in various ways .

Is Turkey’s support driven by ideological affinity with Sudanese Islamists?While former regime networks linked to the National Congress Party have leveraged old channels in Ankara, evidence suggests ideology is a secondary enabler rather than the primary driver. Turkey aligns primarily with the sovereign state apparatus and military leadership .

What is Turkey’s broader strategy in the Horn of Africa?Turkey’s Horn of Africa policy is evolving from bilateral partnerships into a regional strategy centred on preserving sovereign state structures amid intensifying geopolitical competition . Ankara seeks to safeguard its regional partnerships, facilitate new alignments, and limit the influence of competing regional actors.

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