A Greek F-16 Block 52+ Advanced fighter jet participated in the recent ‘Tarang Shakti 24’ exercise in India. The Hellenic Air Force joined the multinational drill with four F-16s and two C-130s. [InTime News]
Greece has declined a request from the Baltic nations – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – to assist in air patrols over their airspace due to existing commitments in the Balkans. The Baltic countries had sought Greek F-16 jets for a NATO air-policing mission, given tensions with Russia and routine interceptions of Russian aircraft near Baltic borders.
However, Greece’s Hellenic Air Force is already tasked with securing the airspace of Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and will include Bulgaria by 2025. The current workload and participation in international exercises in Greece and India have strained the air force’s resources.
Greek officials emphasized the need to prioritize domestic defense requirements, including maintaining resources for national airspace security amidst regional tensions and NATO requests for military equipment.