Greek F-16s intercept Turkish drone over northern Aegean

The Hellenic Air Force was immediately put on alert after a Turkish unmanned aircraft (UAV) was detected entering the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) and violating Greek national airspace.

It is reported that the Turkish drone flew over the wider sea area between Samothraki and Lemnos, triggering the immediate activation of established surveillance and interception procedures.

The Greek response was swift. A pair of F-16 fighter jets from the Air Force took off, tasked with locating, identifying and intercepting the Turkish UAV. The scramble of the Greek aircraft highlights Athens' operational readiness in the face of any activity that breaches its airspace.

A particular cause for concern was that the Turkish UAV approached an area close to the terminal runway of Alexandroupoli Airport at the very moment when an Aegean passenger aircraft was preparing for take-off.

Cooperation between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Greek fighter jets enabled the UAV to be driven away without compromising the safety of the passenger flight.

For precautionary reasons, however, the passenger aircraft was instructed to follow an alternative flight path and maintain a low altitude until it had cleared the area. It then continued its journey as normal to "Eleftherios Venizelos" Airport.

The incident takes on added significance because of its timing, occurring just a few hours after fresh statements from the Turkish Ministry of Defence about the possible creation of a UAV base on Rhodes. Ankara had argued that such a development could adversely affect "peace and stability in the Aegean", while hinting at the possible adoption of "necessary measures".

In Athens, the recent incidents are being assessed in their entirety, as officials consider whether they form part of a coordinated effort by Turkey to send political and military messages or signal a broader shift in its posture in the Aegean.

The fact that Greek F-16s had to be scrambled to intercept the Turkish unmanned aircraft reinforces concerns about a possible resurgence of provocative actions on the ground, with the Greek side closely monitoring Ankara's next moves.