IOC Air Policing Offer

[Jamie]

GOV.UK

Security Classification: SECRET-SENSITIVE​

To the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games in Turkey, (Jay )

On behalf of our delegation, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations on hosting the upcoming Olympic Games. We recognise the scale and importance of this occasion, and we wish you every success in delivering a safe and memorable event.

In the spirit of close cooperation and mutual support, we would like to offer our assistance should it be helpful to your security planning. In particular, we are able to contribute to regional air policing and airspace monitoring efforts, supporting the wider security framework surrounding the Games.

Please accept our best wishes for a successful and secure Olympic Games.

Kind Regards,
Lucy Hart
Culture & Media Secretary

This email and any attachments are intended solely for the named recipient(s) and may contain information that is sensitive or subject to UK Government security classifications. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not read, copy, distribute, disclose, or use the contents in any way.

Unauthorised use, disclosure, copying, or distribution of this communication is strictly prohibited and may constitute a breach of government security policy and applicable law. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your system.

 

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Secretary of Culture and Media < Jamie > [Sender]: Embassy of Türkiye, London< asat.londra@msb.gov.tr > [Subject]: Confidential // RE: Olympic Security Support

Dear Ms. Hart, The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye conveys its warm regards to Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom and reaffirms Prime Minister Çiller's message earlier this year to the United Kingdom. Thank you for your kind congratulations and for the generous offer of cooperation extended by your delegation. We are truly grateful for the warm spirit in which it has been conveyed. Türkiyeis deeply committed to ensuring that these Games are not only a celebration of athletic excellence, but also a demonstration of our capacity to host the world safely and with great hospitality. The security of athletes, delegations, and visitors from across the globe is our foremost priority, and we welcome the support of trusted partners in achieving this. With regard to your specific offer of assistance in regional air policing and airspace monitoring, the Olympic Committee received it with great appreciation. Our office has been asked to reach out to explore what your contribution would look like and how this contribution might best be integrated into the broader security framework we are developing. At present, the Turkish Air Force is preparing for its air policing operation and does not anticipate any lapse in capabilities. However, Prime Minister Çiller believes an opportunity for Turkish and British pilots to demonstrate their ability to cooperate would send a positive signal to both our populations. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration. Respectfully, Colonel Hayrettin Koca 43 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PA, United Kingdom Office of the Armed Forces Attaché T: +44 20 7235 6862 F: +44 20 7235 6886 E: asat.londra@msb.gov.tr

 

[Jamie]

GOV.UK

Security Classification: SECRET-SENSITIVE​

Dear Colonel Hayrettin Koca, (Jay )

Thank you for your reply.

I fully recognise the strong preparations already underway on your side to ensure the Games are both safe and successful, and we have every confidence in Türkiye’s ability to deliver a secure and welcoming event of real global significance.

That said, we’d be very happy to support with a tailored air package operating out of Cyprus. This could include Typhoon aircraft for air policing and quick reaction alert, Tri-Star tankers for air-to-air refuelling, Maritime Patrol Aircraft for wider surveillance, and AWACS to support situational awareness and coordination - all of which are already in the region on exercise.

Even if this were simply held as a contingency option on immediate readiness during the Games, or ultimately not required at all, we would see it very much as a gesture of partnership and support.

Kind Regards,
Lucy Hart
Culture & Media Secretary

This email and any attachments are intended solely for the named recipient(s) and may contain information that is sensitive or subject to UK Government security classifications. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not read, copy, distribute, disclose, or use the contents in any way.

Unauthorised use, disclosure, copying, or distribution of this communication is strictly prohibited and may constitute a breach of government security policy and applicable law. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your system.

 

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Secretary of Culture and Media < Jamie > [Sender]: Embassy of Türkiye, London< asat.londra@msb.gov.tr > [Subject]: Confidential // RE: Olympic Security Support

Dear Ms. Hart, The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye conveys its warm regards to Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom. The Turkish Government would welcome the deployment of the Royal Air Force's tailored air package and has instructed the Turkish Air Force to coordinate with its British counterparts. Given the immediacy of this request and limited time to deepen cooperation, the Turkish Air Force has proposed that the RAF conduct active maritime and situational awareness patrols with its MPA and AWAC capabilities in the Aegean Sea, while Türkiye will conduct primary Air Türkiye proposes the following expedited operational framework to ensure immediate effectiveness, clarity of responsibility, and safe joint execution. ​ To streamline operations and avoid overlap, the Aegean Area of Operations will be divided into two primary Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) zones: Northern Aegean QRA Zone – Assigned to Turkish Air Force assets (primary responsibility) Southern Aegean QRA Zone – Assigned to United Kingdom assets operating from Cyprus These zones are established for primary responsibility, not exclusivity. 2. Command and Authority​ All air policing operations remain under the sovereign command of Türkiye, exercised through Air Operations Centre Istanbul. Turkish Air Force retains full authority over identification, intercept, and engagement decisions UK forces will operate under a coordinated tasking framework with the RAF overseeing operational and tactical control over its units while followng guidance measures related to activity within Turkish air and maritime space. Cross-zone or reinforcement missions require explicit Turkish authorization 3. Joint Coordination Architecture​ To ensure real-time coordination, the following structure will be implemented immediately: We request a British liaison detachment to be embedded within the Olympic Security Command / Air Operations Centre Istanbul, consisting of: 1x Senior RAF Liaison Officer 1x Air Battle Manager (AWACS-qualified) 1x Fighter Operations Officer 1x Communications Specialist 1x Intelligence/Watch Officer This cell will maintain continuous presence (24/7) and direct integration with Turkish operational staff. 4. Communication Protocol (Immediate Implementation)​ A three-layer communication system will be established: Layer 1 – Direct Secure Voice (Primary)​ secure hotline between: Air Operations Centre Istanbul UK Liaison Cell (co-located) RAF Operations Cell in Cyprus THK Operations Cell in Istanbul This circuit will remain continuously open and monitored Used for: Scramble authorization Real-time tasking Escalation decisions Layer 2 – Tactical Air Coordination (Airborne)​ UHF/VHF frequencies assigned for: Intercepts Air-to-air coordination Emergency procedures Standardized brevity codes and English-language procedures will apply Layer 3 – Shared Air Picture (Data Link)​ A controlled Recognized Air Picture (RAP) will be maintained via: Turkish radar stations (Stations 1 & 3) Airborne assets (AWACS) Secure datalink (Link 16 or equivalent) Data sharing will be limited to: Track-level information Identification status Assigned interceptors 5. Operational Procedures​ Detection and Intercept​ All initial detections are processed by Turkish radar and AOC Istanbul with the RAF's AWACs requested to feed information to the joint-operations center. Turkish command determines response (scramble / monitor / ignore) UK Liaison Cell is informed in real time If within Southern Zone: UK Typhoons may be tasked to respond If escalation occurs: Turkish and UK assets may operate jointly under Turkish direction 6. Rules of Engagement​ All aircraft will adhere to Turkish-defined ROE Intercepts will prioritize: Identification Communication Escort/diversion Use of force remains exclusively under Turkish national authority 7. Liaison and Integration Measures​ UK liaison officers will be granted: Direct access to operational floor Real-time air picture displays Participation in all mission briefings Turkish liaison officers may be deployed to Cyprus if your office deems it appropriate. This approach ensures a clear division of responsibility, rapid response capability, and safe operational coordination, while fully respecting the sovereignty and command authority of Türkiye. We invite the United Kingdom to deploy liaison personnel immediately and initiate technical coordination without delay. We remain confident that this arrangement will provide an effective air security posture for the duration of the Games. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration. Respectfully, Colonel Hayrettin Koca 43 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PA, United Kingdom Office of the Armed Forces Attaché T: +44 20 7235 6862 F: +44 20 7235 6886 E: asat.londra@msb.gov.tr