Former SAT commandos train special forces personnel in Mali

The company conducting the training introduced its work at the BAMEX 2026 Defense and Security Fair, organized by the Ministry of Defense of Mali and the Turkish company The Peak Defense in the capital Bamako.

The founder of the company, Ufuk Erdoğan, who is also a former SAT commando, evaluated his work in Mali and the company's international activities with the AA correspondent.

Erdoğan said that they restructured the academy, which they initially established in order to popularize the conscious use of weapons in Türkiye, in line with the needs that emerged in the international arena over time.

"We are the first and only private academy operating in this field in Türkiye." Erdoğan stated that they cooperate with public institutions and private organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan and various African countries, as well as Türkiye.

"Our instructors consist of people who trained SAT commandos"

Underlining that the instructor staff consists of experienced soldiers who served in the Turkish Armed Forces, Erdoğan said, "Our team consists entirely of experienced soldiers and SAT commandos. All of them have been instructors in the SAT course and have trained the personnel who are currently active in the field." he said.

Stating that they provided training to special forces personnel affiliated with the land forces in Mali, Erdoğan stated that Mali is in the process of restructuring its army and that they have made various agreements in the field of training and consultancy in this context.

Explaining that they prepared the training programs according to the needs of the Malian army, Erdoğan stated that they focused on different areas such as physical preparation, close combat, use of weapons and responding to injuries in the field.

"We are trying to create a system where they can stand on their own feet."

Emphasizing that they aim not only to provide military skills to the Malian army, but also to create a training system in which they can operate with their own means in the long term, Erdoğan said, "We are trying to create a system where they can stand on their own feet, rather than becoming dependent on us or externally. We are trying to establish a perspective beyond just shooting or using weapons." he said.

Stating that they met with military delegations from various countries within the scope of BAMEX 2026, Erdoğan said that they are holding discussions on new collaborations in the field of training and consultancy.

Stating that they received intense demand from private security companies in Africa, Erdoğan stated that they were in contact with security companies, especially those operating in the mining and banking sectors, regarding their training and equipment needs.

BAMEX's security is also entrusted to them.

Stating that the company has been providing consultancy to BAMEX's security organization for 2 years, Erdoğan noted that they worked together with the police and military units in planning the security measures in the fair area and its surroundings.

Erdoğan added that they supported the safe testing and use of Turkish defense industry products with their trainers in the practical demonstrations held on the field within the scope of the fair.