According to the Ministry, there were reports of eight cases of pursuit of Greek aircraft chasing Turkish fighters without using their weapons.

In all cases, the Turkish planes were identified and intercepted by Greek fighters, in accordance with international standards, the Defense Ministry said.

According to the source, the Foreign Ministry of Greece filed a protest in relation to the overflights conducted by Turkish F-16s over Greek territory in the Aegean Sea.

The Defense Ministry sent a message in response to Ankara’s accusations that Greek planes used their radars to radar-lock Turkish F-16s taking part in the NATO mission in the eastern Mediterranean.

The letter states that after consultations and agreement between the Greek National Defense Staff and the Air Command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an American B-52 strategic bomber flew over the region on August 22nd. The B-52 entered from the southwestern Greek border and exited from the west of Kastellorizo Island.

Greek aircraft escorted the B-52, as happened on other occasions in the past, the Greek ministry reported.

During the operation, five unidentified aircraft appeared on radars east of the Greek island of Karpathos, interfering with the B-52’s route and violating air traffic regulations by failing to provide flight plans. Four Greek F-16s were scrambled from the air force base in the island of Crete, identifying Turkish F-16s and intercepting them in accordance with international norms and standard practice.

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