Tel Aviv: Turkey is actively building a spaceport in Somalia. Construction for the first phase of the launch facility is underway on the Somali coast, driven by the country’s equatorial proximity, which makes launching satellites and rockets more fuel-efficient. This is another example of countries building strongholds in Africa.
The new established relations between Israel and Somaliland may allow the Israeli navy’s German-made Dolphin-type submarines to operate from a port in this country.
Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is a partially recognised state in the Horn of Africa. It is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden and bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the south and west, and Somalia to the east.
According to foreign sources, Israel is actively seeking to establish a naval and military presence at the Berbera port in Somaliland. While Somaliland leadership has openly
welcomed Israeli port access and investments, there have been no official confirmations that Israel’s Dolphin-class submarines will be permanently based or routinely operated there.
The strategic push for a presence in the Horn of Africa is driven by several factors: the space port programme is coordinated by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) as part of the Turkish plan to achieve independent access to space. Key details of the project include: the facility is situated on the Indian Ocean coast, with operations extending from areas near Mogadishu up into the Middle Shabelle region.
Along with commercial satellite launches, the site is reported to serve as a testing range for long-range ballistic missiles developed by Turkish defence contractors. Turkey’s involvement comes amidst heavy investments in Somalia, with Turkish forces stationed at local military bases stepping up security due to the region’s insurgent activity.
Turkey has developed and operated Earth-observation and communications satellites. According to Israeli sources, the establishment of the space port is related to the Turkish plans toward independent launch capability.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
