Turkish Military Cargo Plane Crashes in Georgia
A military transport aircraft belonging to Turkey crashed on November 11, 2025, near Georgia’s Sighnaghi municipality, close to the Azerbaijani border. The Lockheed C-130 cargo plane, carrying 20 Turkish personnel, was flying from Azerbaijan to Turkey when it lost contact with air traffic control. The Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed the incident and said a large-scale search and rescue operation is underway in coordination with Georgian authorities. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and casualty figures have not yet been officially released.
Rescue Operations
According to early reports, the aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after entering Georgian airspace and crashed in a mountainous area near Sighnaghi. Georgian emergency services, Turkish military teams, and drones have been deployed to locate survivors. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed deep sorrow, referring to the missing personnel as “martyrs,” and vowed full support to the rescue mission.
Investigation and Context
Officials from both Turkey and Georgia have begun a joint probe into the cause of the crash. Aviation experts say mechanical failure, adverse weather, or navigational error could have contributed to the accident. The C-130 Hercules, a long-serving workhorse of many air forces, has been in Turkish service for decades. The incident highlights the operational risks involved in military cargo missions across the rugged border region linking Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.
