Israeli air force launches joint exercises with Greece

Mirage IIICJ in Israeli Air Force museum (13 victory markings) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Israeli air force launched joint maneuvers with its Greek counterpart for the first time, Hebrew media reported. Yediot Ahronot said in a report that the military exercises were held in both countries but did not disclose the timing, noting that the maneuvers were launched after deterioration of relations with Turkey.

The newspaper quoted Israeli sources as saying that the drills were a clear message to Turkey, which decided to halt its annual military exercises with Israel following the Israeli navy attack on the Freedom Flotilla that killed a number of Turkish nationals a couple of years ago. They pointed out that the maneuvers were also held at a time of Turkish threats to Greece not to approach the natural gas offshore fields.

The Israeli government had opted to forging closer ties with Athens in a bid to find an alternate strategic ally to Ankara. (source)