# Somali Navy > The Somali Navy: founding with Soviet help in 1964, collapse in 1991, re-establishment in 2009, and the 2024 ten-year agreement with Turkey to rebuild it. Source page: https://calankii.com/en/institutions/somali-navy/ Last checked: 2026-11-12 Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com) ## In short The Somali Navy is the federal government's sea service. It was a working force in the 1970s and 1980s, disappeared in 1991, and has been rebuilt slowly since 2009, mainly with Turkish help. This page records what the sources say, without taking sides. The land army is described in [Somali National Army](/en/institutions/somali-national-army/) and the earlier forces in [Somali armed forces, 1960–1991](/en/history/somali-armed-forces-1960-1991/). ## Founding and Soviet era, 1964–1991 Wikipedia records that the navy was founded in 1964 with Soviet advisers, with bases at Berbera on the [Gulf of Aden](/en/relations/yemen/) and Kismayo on the Indian Ocean and a radar site at [Merca](/en/regions/lower-shabelle/). Its first vessels were Soviet patrol and torpedo boats. In 1977 President [Siad Barre](/en/people/siad-barre/) ended the treaty with Moscow and expelled Soviet advisers over Soviet support for Ethiopia in the [Ogaden war](/en/history/ogaden-war-1977/). By 1990 it had two Osa-II missile boats, four torpedo boats, several patrol craft and a landing ship. It dissolved as the government fell in 1990–91, and some vessels reportedly went to Aden ([Wikipedia, Somali Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_Navy)). ## Re-establishment, 2009–2023 The navy was re-established in June 2009 under Admiral [Farah Omar](/en/people/haji-farah-omar/) Ahmed. Up to 500 recruits trained in Mogadishu that year as the first part of a planned 5,000-strong force; in December 2009 its commander described it as "practically nothing" (Wikipedia). An August 2011 agreement between the [Transitional Federal Government](/en/history/transitional-governments-2000-2012/) and [Puntland](/en/states/puntland/) called for a Somali marine force. In January 2020 Turkey donated patrol and landing vessels (Wikipedia). Puntland's own maritime force is described in [Puntland security forces](/en/institutions/puntland-security-forces/). ## The Turkey agreement, 2024 On 8 February 2024 Somalia's defence minister, [Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur](/en/people/abdulkadir-mohamed-nur/), and Turkey's defence minister, Yaşar Güler, signed a Defence and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement in Turkey. The cabinet approved it, and both houses of parliament endorsed it by 213 votes to 3. It runs for ten years ([Voice of America, 21 February 2024](https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-approves-defense-agreement-with-turkey-/7496758.html)). Prime Minister [Hamza Abdi Barre](/en/people/hamza-abdi-barre/) called it "a historic day for the country" and said Turkey would build, train and equip the navy to protect Somali waters from terrorism, piracy and "foreign interference" ([Defense News, AP, 21 February 2024](https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2024/02/21/somalia-makes-deal-with-turkey-to-bolster-naval-force/)). An unnamed Somali official told VOA the deal allows Turkish warships to deploy in Somali waters (VOA). The full text has not been published. The deal came weeks after Ethiopia's memorandum of understanding with [Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/) of 1 January 2024. President [Hassan Sheikh Mohamud](/en/people/hassan-sheikh-mohamud/) said it was not aimed at Ethiopia and called the timing "just a coincidence" (VOA). Analyst Mohamed Gaas of the Raad Peace Research Institute told AP it gave Somalia "crucial support", and Turkey a chance "to expand its influence" in Africa (Defense News, AP). ## Since 2024 Wikipedia records that Turkey delivered two helicopters in June 2025, and that a naval training base near Cadale in Middle [Shabelle](/en/economy/farming-and-harvests/) was reported in early 2026. Its listed equipment includes Turkish-built patrol boats. It gives no reliable personnel figure (Wikipedia). ## Sources differ - **Founding year.** 1964 or 1965. - **Revenue terms.** Some reports said Turkey would receive 30 per cent of revenue from Somalia's exclusive economic zone; the agreement's text has not been published. - **Size.** No official figure; estimates speak of hundreds of personnel. ## Read the primary sources yourself - Voice of America, "Somalia approves defense agreement with Turkey" (2024): [article](https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-approves-defense-agreement-with-turkey-/7496758.html). - Associated Press, "Somalia makes deal with Turkey to bolster naval force" (2024), via Defense News: [article](https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2024/02/21/somalia-makes-deal-with-turkey-to-bolster-naval-force/). --- I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. Fix this page: email hello@calankii.com with the page link and your source.