Greece launched a medium-scale military exercise across the Aegean Sea early on Wednesday, deploying air, naval and ground forces, following an announcement by Turkey for potential surveys in the region, the Greek Kathimerini newspaper reported.
The drill, which began at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, involves the activation of Delta Force, a joint formation of the Hellenic Armed Forces. Athens said the exercise was aimed at demonstrating readiness and determination to defend national sovereignty.
More than 60 fighter jets and the entire Hellenic Navy fleet are taking part, along with special forces units deployed to 30 islands and army formations in the northern border region of Evros.
The exercise follows a Navtex 0863/25 issued by Turkey’s İzmir station, reserving areas for research by the vessel Piri Reis. The surveys were expected to begin on Monday, but Greek officials said the ship remained anchored in the İzmir marina, which Athens interpreted as a possible sign of hesitation in Ankara.
Greece and Turkey, both NATO members, have a long history of disputes over maritime boundaries, airspace and territorial sovereignty in the Aegean.
After years of tension concerning migration, energy rights and maritime borders in the Aegean Sea, Greece and Turkey restarted high-level talks in December, when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid his first to Athens since 2017 and signed a declaration of friendship between the two historic rivals.
Mitsotakis reciprocated Erdoğan’s visit in May 2024.