The revelation that Turkey supplied armed drones and operators to Pakistan during the May 7 military confrontation with India, while a Turkish joint-venture company, Çelebi Aviation, manages high-security operations at key Indian airports, raises serious national security concerns.
What Has Happened:
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During India’s Operation Sindoor—a targeted airstrike on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK—Turkey reportedly provided both drones and drone operators to assist Pakistan in retaliatory swarm attacks against Indian air defence systems.
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This marks not just material military support, but direct operational involvement, indicating Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan in a hostile act against India.
Why This Is Concerning:
🔻 Çelebi Aviation’s Deep Integration in Indian Airports
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Çelebi Aviation, headquartered in Istanbul, has been operational in India since 2008.
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It handles sensitive operations in nine major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.
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Tasks include:
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Airside operations (direct access to aircraft)
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Cargo logistics, baggage handling
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Passenger check-in, load control, ramp services
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Operations in high-security zones, requiring Airport Entry Passes (AEPs) and BCAS clearance.
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🔐 Security Risk Factors
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Çelebi’s staff, though locally hired and background-checked, operate under a foreign-controlled company originating from a country now directly aiding an adversary.
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The potential for insider threats, sabotage, or intelligence gathering cannot be ruled out, especially at airports that handle VVIP movement, strategic logistics, and international cargo.
🇹🇷 Turkey’s Shifting Posture
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Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has taken a more overt Islamic stance and has supported Pakistan’s position on Kashmir in international forums.
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Despite India extending help through Operation Dost after the 2023 earthquake, Ankara’s reported operational support to Pakistan against India has seriously altered the perception of trust.
Broader Implications:
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Strategic Review Needed: India may need to reassess Çelebi’s role in sensitive operations at its airports, particularly where national security assets are involved.
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Policy-Level Action: A comprehensive security audit of Çelebi’s operations, including a review of its joint venture agreements and personnel vetting procedures, could be warranted.
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Diplomatic Fallout: Turkey’s support to Pakistan in an active military confrontation is likely to trigger stronger diplomatic scrutiny from India and might affect bilateral relations.
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Regulatory Oversight: Agencies like the BCAS and Ministry of Civil Aviation might be pushed to tighten norms for foreign-origin companies operating in security-sensitive aviation sectors.
Final Thought:
While Çelebi Aviation is legally registered in India and operates under local regulations, the geopolitical allegiance of its country of origin now directly intersects with a national security threat. This juxtaposition—strategic foreign infiltration via commercial operations—is a reminder that economic engagement and security policy must work in tandem, especially in a world where hybrid warfare and proxy actors are increasingly the norm.
