Israeli-Greek Air Forces Drill Refueling Near Crete

Israeli and Greek air forces held a joint aerial-refueling drill in the eastern Mediterranean, and an IDF-confirmed account said Israeli tanker aircraft trained with Greek F-16s south of Crete. The IDF said the activity was routine readiness training, pre-approved with civilian air-traffic authorities and Greece's air force, outside any friction zone with NATO or Turkey. The drill gave Athens long-range training with a capability Greece does not field in its own fleet. It matters as Ankara hosts the NATO summit and presses for advanced aircraft, while Israel deepens dependable eastern-Mediterranean defense partnerships.