Greece holds exercises with allies, NATO partners

Greece invited NATO partners and regional allies to take part in an annual air force exercise starting on Friday at Andravida air base near the southern city of Kalamata.

Greek Defence Minister Nikos said the joint military drills sent a "strong message of resolve”. France, the United States, Israel, Italy, Slovenia and Cyprus sent aircrafts to take part in the 10-day Iniochos 2022 exercises  as Athens continued its multi-billion euro military modernization program. Military personnel from Albania, Egypt, Austria, North Macedonia, the UK, India, Canada, Croatia, Kuwait, Morocco and Saudi Arabia were attending as observers. France was participating with new-generation Rafale aircraft, which it has recently sold to Greece, while the United States sent F-15s and MQ-9 Reaper drones.