Greek Surface-to-Air Missiles Locked on Turkish F-16s, Ankara Claims

by | Aug 29, 2022

Greek Surface-to-Air Missiles Locked on Turkish F-16s, Ankara Claims

by | Aug 29, 2022

FILE PHOTO. (Credit: EllsworthSK / Wikipedia)

Greece’s Russian-made S-300 air defense systems stationed on the island of Crete locked onto Turkish fighter jets as they crossed international airspace over the Mediterranean, Turkey’s Defense Ministry claimed, amid mounting tensions between the two NATO states.

The incident occurred on August 23, according to the Turkish statement, which came just days after Ankara leveled a similar accusation against Greek forces. Athens has disputed both alleged close-calls, with a Greek defense official calling the claims “fake news.”

Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported that Turkish F-16s were performing a reconnaissance mission west of Greece’s Rhodes island – located some 142 miles northeast of Crete – and were flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet when the radar lock occurred. “Despite the hostile environment,” the Turkish planes finished the mission and returned to their bases, the outlet added, citing military sources. 

Under NATO’s rules of engagement, radar locks are deemed a hostile act. But the Greek Defense Ministry insists its “S-300 missile system has never put a lock on Turkish F-16 jets.”

Last week, the Turks summoned Athens’ military attache and filed a complaint with NATO over another disputed incident, in which Greek warplanes reportedly harassed five Turkish F-16s flying over the eastern Mediterranean. 

While Ankara says its jets were participating in a NATO mission, Greece has rejected that version of events, instead claiming the Turkish craft appeared without notice to escort American B-52s which had been cleared to cross its airspace. According to Anadolu, Turkey gave the “necessary response” and warded off the Greek planes.

Relations between Turkey and Greece have long been strained, nearly going to war on three separate occasions over the last 50 years due to competing claims to territory and resources in the Aegean Sea. 

Ankara has accused the Greeks of militarizing islands in the Aegean and violating limits established in peace treaties signed after World Wars I and II. In 2020, a naval standoff ensued between the NATO allies over exploratory drilling rights in Mediterranean waters, parts of which are also claimed by Cyprus.

Connor Freeman and Will Porter

Connor Freeman and Will Porter

Connor Freeman is the assistant editor and a writer at the Libertarian Institute, primarily covering foreign policy. He is a co-host on Conflicts of Interest.

Will Porter is the assistant news editor of the Libertarian Institute and a staff writer and editor at RT.

View all posts

Our Books

Shop books published by the Libertarian Institute.

libetarian institute longsleeve shirt

Support via Amazon Smile

Our Books

libertarian inst books

Recent Articles

Recent

News Roundup 10/1/2024

News Roundup 10/1/2024

Ukraine West Seeks to Finalize Using Frozen Russian Funds to Pay for Ukraine War The Institute  China Biden Approves $567 Million in Military Aid for Taiwan, Angering China AWC Israel US Sending a ‘Few Thousand’ Troops to Middle East To Defend Israel AWC Israeli...

read more

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This