A Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) entered the Athens FIR and violated Greek national airspace on Friday morning, reportedly approaching the wider area of Alexandroupoli and the city’s airport.
The incident prompted an immediate response from the Hellenic Air Force, with a pair of Greek F-16 fighter jets taking off to identify and intercept the Turkish drone.
According to Greek media reports, the UAV entered the Athens Flight Information Region without having submitted a flight plan before subsequently entering Greek national airspace.
The drone then flew over the wider northeastern Greece area, coming relatively close to Alexandroupoli and the airport’s terminal area.
Greek F-16s monitor Turkish UAV
The appearance of the Turkish UAV triggered an immediate response from the Hellenic Air Force.
A pair of F-16s was scrambled to identify and intercept the aircraft. After the Greek fighters approached, the Turkish UAV altered its course.
The drone subsequently continued flying within the Athens FIR over the northeastern Aegean, with its route reportedly passing through areas near Thasos and Samothrace.
Greek F-16s maintained close surveillance of the UAV throughout its flight, while authorities monitored its movements.
The Turkish drone eventually turned east and headed back towards the Turkish coastline.
UAV operated near Alexandroupoli during civilian flight activity
The incident has attracted particular attention because the Turkish UAV was operating relatively close to Alexandroupoli Airport while civilian flight operations were underway.
According to the reports, however, there was no danger to a civilian aircraft and flight safety was not affected.
The Greek Air Force had already responded to the situation, with the F-16s maintaining surveillance and ensuring that the UAV’s movements remained under close observation.
Rising Turkish aerial activity in the Aegean
The incident comes amid renewed Turkish aerial activity in the Aegean and follows a series of reported encounters involving Turkish drones and other aircraft.
Greek authorities are closely monitoring the increased activity, while the Hellenic Air Force remains on heightened readiness to respond to violations of Greek airspace.
The reported proximity of the UAV to Alexandroupoli has added significance to the incident, particularly given the strategic importance of the northeastern Greek city and its airport.
The latest episode highlights the continued sensitivity of aerial activity between Greece and Turkey and the rapid response maintained by the Hellenic Air Force to developments in the region.
