Greek-Israeli naval drill highlights growing defense partnership as tensions with Turkey rise

The Greek and Israeli navies conducted a joint military exercise in the Mediterranean this week, deepening defense cooperation between the two countries as tensions with Turkey continue to rise.

The Israeli military announced the exercise on Saturday, saying it involved senior naval and military officials from both countries, including Israeli Navy chief Vice Adm. Eyal Harel, Greek Vice Adm. Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras and the head of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Gen. Dimitrios Choupis.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the exercise “practiced a variety of operational scenarios” and included “identifying and thwarting threats in the maritime domain, sailing as a joint force, and sinking an enemy vessel using missile fire.”

“The exercise constitutes another step in deepening operational cooperation between the Israeli Navy and the Hellenic Navy, with the aim of strengthening joint readiness and preserving freedom of action in the Mediterranean,” the Israeli military stated, adding that the joint exercise also “marks a significant leap forward in naval military cooperation between the two countries.”

Harel emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, saying that “the strategic partnership with Greece is a significant force multiplier, strengthening our ability to operate together, defensively and offensively, to safeguard security and freedom of navigation in the Mediterranean.”

The exercise came days after Turkey and Libya ratified a maritime boundaries agreement that drew condemnation from Greece and Israel.

Relations between Greece and Turkey have remained strained despite both countries belonging to NATO. Meanwhile, relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated sharply under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who openly supports Hamas and has accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza.

Israel has rejected the accusation and criticized Ankara’s support for Hamas, which calls for Israel’s destruction.

Erdogan has also compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Netanyahu responded by calling Erdogan an “antisemitic dictator.”

Against this backdrop, Greece and Israel have strengthened their security and commercial ties, viewing cooperation as a way to address shared regional security concerns.

In August, the two countries signed a record €3 billion ($3.48 billion) strategic air defense agreement under which Israel will help Greece build a comprehensive air defense system based on Israeli technology.

“This is the largest defense export deal in the history of Israel-Greece relations, and one of the largest in the history of the State of Israel,” the Israel Ministry of Defense spokesperson announced at the time.

Turkey has expressed concern about the expanding Greek-Israeli defense partnership. In August, Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler revealed in a letter to a Turkish lawmaker that Turkey was preparing for a “possible crisis, tension, and war.”

Turkey is reportedly concerned about the modernization of the Greek military and air force, while Greece and Israel have raised concerns about the expansion of Turkey’s naval capabilities in the Mediterranean.

The Greek-Israeli partnership forms part of a broader regional defense network involving Cyprus and the U.S. military, with potential cooperation with moderate Arab partners in the Abraham Accords framework across the Mediterranean and Gulf regions.