Boeing is helping Turkey improve its self-defense capabilities with the recent delivery of the first Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.

The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) now has advanced airborne surveillance and battle management capabilities, and can simultaneously track airborne and maritime targets, with the first of four AEW&C aircraft it has received from Boeing.

“The Peace Eagle program is an example of great cooperation among the Turkish government and our excellent Turkish industry teammates, including Turkish Aerospace Industries, HAVELSAN, Turkish Airlines and MiKES,” said Mark Ellis, Peace Eagle program manager for Boeing. “What’s more, the aircraft can be used immediately because initial training for mission system operators, maintenance crews and pilots has been completed.”

Boeing delivered the aircraft to Konya Air Base, the fleet’s main operating base. The AEW&C is based on the Boeing 737-700 airplane, one of the most popular and reliable commercial jet aircrafts in the world.

Two more AEW&C aircraft are to be delivered this year, with the fourth in 2015. In addition to the aircraft, the Peace Eagle program includes ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance.

Turkey joins Australia and South Korea as operators of AEW&C platforms.

Boeing press release