Greece scrambles F-16s after 'Turkish drone' flies over

Greece swiftly deployed F-16 fighter jets after a Turkish drone reportedly entered Greek airspace near Alexandroupolis, a northeastern port on the border with Turkey, according to media reports and a military source. The incident prompted the immediate mobilization of the Greek air force, as confirmed by a Greek military source.

This incident comes amid heightened vigilance across European countries following recent high-profile drone incursions, particularly linked to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which now involves armed unmanned aircraft. Despite being NATO members, Greece and Turkey have longstanding tensions due to competing territorial claims over land and sea boundaries.

Greek authorities have noted a growing number of drone incursions since 2025. When the drone was observed near Alexandroupolis airport, where a passenger plane was preparing to take off, Greek F-16s on standby immediately took to the skies. Two F-16s were reportedly scrambled, and the departing passenger plane was instructed to use an alternate runway and maintain a low altitude until the area was deemed safe.

A military source stated that the incident was not serious, noting that both the Greek northeast and southeast regions frequently experience daily interceptions and air force responses.