Military officials from Greece, Cyprus, and Israel signed a landmark Joint Action Plan and a bilateral Greece-Israel Military Cooperation Program in Nicosia last Tuesday.

The signing followed a high-level tripartite summit in Jerusalem, signaling a deepening of the strategic “Eastern Mediterranean Alliance,” according to Greek Reporter.

The agreement, rooted in directives from the three nations’ Heads of State, prioritizes elite-level readiness and the exchange of expertise in 21st-century warfare. Key focus areas include:

• Special Operations: Enhanced joint training for commando and naval units.
• Unmanned Systems (UAVs): Shared intelligence and countermeasures against drone technology.
• Electronic Warfare (EW): Collaborative development of tactics for contested electromagnetic environments.

A significant highlight of the pact is the inclusion of “lessons learned” from recent conflicts. Israel will share critical data on countering aerial threats, drawing on its advancements in laser-based defense, such as the Iron Beam system. The Hellenic National Defense General Staff noted that this cooperation “solidifies the role of the three nations as pillars of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

Furthermore, the pact outlines an intensive multi-domain training exercise schedule for 2026, including:

• Iniochos 2026: Israeli fighter jets are slated to return to Greece for the prestigious Hellenic Air Force exercise for the first time since 2023.
• Noble Dina: Greece will maintain its participation in this major Israeli naval exercise.
• Aerial & Maritime Integration: Plans include aerial refueling maneuvers south of Crete and coordinated naval and special operations training across the Aegean and Levantine seas.

Lastly, the agreement coincides with Greece’s broader efforts to modernize its arsenal through Israeli technology. Beyond the acquisition of advanced munitions for its upgraded F-16 Viper fleet, Athens is currently in talks for:

• LORA Ballistic Missiles: Precision long-range strike capabilities.
• Anti-Drone Shields: Comprehensive electronic and kinetic defense systems.
• C4I Technology: Advanced radar and command-and-control infrastructure to enhance regional situational awareness.

This trilateral synergy is expected to significantly improve early warning capabilities and operational readiness, creating a unified defense architecture across the Eastern Mediterranean corridor. (Greek Reporter; File Photo © Naval Group: Hellenic Navy received its first Defense and Intervention Frigate)