The Israeli and Greek air forces are conducting joint exercises over the island of Crete, according to Greek news outlets. Photos published by the Greek military show fighter jets from both countries flying side by side over the Aegean Sea.

What happened: According to OnAlert and Israel's Channel 12, the exercises included the aerial refueling of Greek F-16 fighter jets by Israeli tanker aircraft, as Greece's air force does not operate an aerial refueling fleet.

Israel and Greece resumed joint military exercises after a pause due to the war with Iran. 

In December 2025, representatives of the Israeli, Greek and Cypriot militaries agreed on a plan for trilateral military cooperation in 2026, including joint exercises and training, working groups in various fields and strategic military dialogue on issues of mutual interest. The trilateral talks also explored the establishment of a brigade-sized rapid response force of approximately 2,500 troops and F-35 fighter jets. Channel 12 reported at the time that Israel's air force was practicing using Cypriot bases for emergency landings and refueling.

🚨 A show of force against Erdogan: The IDF is conducting joint exercises with the Greek army. As part of the exercise, an Israeli refueling aircraft was documented refueling a Greek F16 over the Aegean Sea. IDF sources: "The cooperation is part of a broad strategic plan, at a… pic.twitter.com/OiNUbAY9TR

— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) July 6, 2026

Why it matters: Reports in the Greek and Israeli media about the joint exercises were published just hours before NATO's annual summit in Ankara opened Monday evening.

Tensions between Israel and Turkey as well as between Greece and Turkey have increased in recent months. The exercise sends a clear message to Ankara about the Israeli and Greek militaries' ability to operate together.

Last month, US President Donald Trump hinted that he would approve the sale to Turkey of US-made F110 engines for KAAN fighter jets, the flagship project of Turkey's defense industry, and would also support the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Ankara.

Asked by reporters on June 25 about Ankara's request for F110 engines and F-35 fighter jets, Trump said he would arrive in Ankara "with a big gift bag," adding, "I'm probably going to do something that's going to make [Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan] very happy."

Know more: Interviewed Sunday by Fox News, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Washington not to sell advanced weaponry to Ankara, calling Turkey "a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood."

"I don't think they should be given F-35s or engines for their fighter jets," he said, arguing that such a move would "upset the balance of power in the Middle East, which is ultimately guaranteed by Israel's air superiority and also America's posture in the Middle East."

Contacted by Al-Monitor, Israeli and Greek military officials were not immediately available for comment.