Greece and Israel demonstrated their military cooperation and operational readiness in the Eastern Mediterranean on Wednesday, 21 October, after successfully conducting acceptance tests of the new SPIKE NLOS and ER guided missiles in the northern Cretan Sea.
The joint Greek-Israeli naval activity took place in the presence of the two countries’ senior military leadership, highlighting their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation amid continuing regional tensions and competing maritime claims.
Greek and Israeli Navies Demonstrate Missile Capabilities
Greek forces launched SPIKE guided missiles with high precision from a Machitis-class gunboat and a MARK V special operations craft operated by the Navy’s Underwater Demolition Command. Two Israeli naval vessels also conducted missile launches, demonstrating a high level of interoperability between the two fleets.
The decommissioned Greek S-class frigate Bouboulina (F-463) served as the target vessel. Following the missile strikes, a Greek submarine fired a heavy SUT torpedo, which sank the frigate.
The exercise involved a substantial deployment of Greek naval assets, including frigates, fast-attack craft, surveillance vessels and naval aviation helicopters, alongside fighter aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force.
The activity demonstrated the participating forces’ ability to coordinate complex operations and employ modern guided weapons in a joint maritime environment.
Senior Military Leaders Reaffirm Strategic Partnership
The diplomatic dimension of the exercise took centre stage aboard the Greek frigate Psara, where Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras met Israeli Navy Commander Vice Admiral Eyal Harel.
Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis also attended the meeting.
The two sides discussed contemporary maritime security challenges, with particular emphasis on protecting freedom of navigation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Athens and Tel Aviv reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence cooperation, investing in innovation and emerging technologies, and strengthening regional stability against potential destabilising actions.
The joint activity underscored the growing importance of Greek-Israeli military coordination as both countries seek to enhance their operational capabilities and address shared security concerns in the Eastern Mediterranean.
(Source: AMNA)
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