Tensions in the Aegean resurfaced this week after Turkish military aircraft allegedly violated Greek national airspace, prompting interceptions by the Hellenic Air Force that escalated into a brief mock dogfight, according to Greek defense officials.
The incident occurred on Thursday during a Turkish military exercise in the central Aegean and marked one of the most serious aerial confrontations between the two NATO allies in recent months.
According to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA), Turkish fighter jets entered the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) without submitting flight plans. Greek fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept them, in line with standard NATO procedures for unidentified military aircraft approaching national airspace.
Greek authorities said the encounter evolved into a “mock dogfight“—known in military terminology as an air combat maneuvering engagement—before the Turkish aircraft departed the area. No weapons were fired and no aircraft were damaged.
The incident came amid multiple alleged violations of Greek national airspace and infringements of Athens FIR by Turkish military aircraft, reviving concerns over stability in the eastern Mediterranean.
Long-running dispute
Airspace incidents have long been a source of friction between Greece and Turkey, which dispute the breadth of Greek territorial waters and the extent of national airspace over parts of the Aegean Sea.
While Greece maintains that its national airspace extends 10 nautical miles from its coastline, Turkey recognizes only 6 nautical miles, matching Greece’s territorial waters. The disagreement has led to frequent interceptions and aerial encounters for decades.
The two countries have nevertheless sought to improve relations in recent years through renewed diplomatic dialogue and confidence-building measures following a period of heightened tensions in 2020 and 2021.
The latest encounter suggests that military incidents remain a persistent risk despite broader efforts to stabilize bilateral ties.
Neither side reported injuries or damage resulting from the incident. Turkish authorities had not publicly commented on the Greek account at the time of publication.
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