Cyprus Times

Greece, Israel, and Cyprus to Intensify Joint Military Exercises in Eastern Mediterranean

Published December 29, 2025, 15:10
Greece, Israel, and Cyprus to Intensify Joint Military Exercises in Eastern Mediterranean

Greece, Israel, and Cyprus have agreed to deepen their defense cooperation by increasing joint air and naval exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean, targeting 2026. The agreement, formalized through a joint action plan signed in Cyprus, includes the transfer of expertise from Israel to Greece and Cyprus to counter both conventional and asymmetric threats. Greece plans to participate in Israel's Noble Dina naval exercise in the coming months. This enhanced collaboration follows a recent meeting in Jerusalem between the Prime Ministers of Greece and Cyprus and the Israeli Prime Minister, where an agreement was signed to strengthen maritime security and promote energy interconnections. The move is being closely monitored by Turkey, considered a regional rival. Furthermore, Greece has already made significant purchases of missile systems from Israel, spending billions of euros, and is in talks to acquire additional anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic systems. The total cost of the planned multi-layered air defense system, known as “Achilles Shield,” is estimated at 3 billion euros. Finally, the Greek parliament recently approved the purchase of 36 PULS rocket artillery systems from Israel to bolster defenses along the northeastern border with Turkey and on the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. This agreement is part of a broader effort to strengthen Greece's defense capabilities and address regional challenges.