Israel to participate in air exercises to be held in Greece: India, Saudi Arab

Athens: Israeli fighter jets will participate in the biggest international air exercises in Greece in the next week. Greece has announced this annual exercise; officials from India, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will be participating in the exercises as observers. These air exercises become essential against the background of the Russia-Ukraine war and the NATO military movements. As the Greek air force informed, Iniochos air exercises will be held between 28th March and 8th April. Along with Greece and Israel, air forces of the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Cyprus, Slovenia and Austria will participate in the exercises. In contrast, observers from India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Kingdom, Albania, North Macedonia, Croatia and Morocco will participate.

The exercises will be held in the region from the Greek marine region to the Mediterranean Sea. In contrast, the exercises will be based on action against the air defence systems, airstrikes and defensive missions. Surface-to-air missiles will also be used in the exercises. Greek and Israeli media said that leading fighter jets like F-16, F-15 and F-35 would participate in the exercises. Last year the Russian S-300 air defence system was studied during these exercises.

Tension has been created in the eastern European countries given the Russia-Ukraine war. Russia has taken control of the Azov marine region. Whereas Turkey has closed the Gulf of Bosporus. NATO has increased its deployment in the Ukrainian neighbours, Poland and Romania. The exercises organised in this situation becomes significant.