Until now, the “unfortunate” role of recognition has been taken over by HAF fighters, but nothing has changed in the tactics of the neighbors since the Greek F-16s simply recognize and monitor the course of the Turkish UAVs.
It is now a daily phenomenon that the long-hour flights of Turkish drones over the Aegean, which are accompanied by overflights over Greek islands, for the first time, at the beginning of the week, the same UAV proceeded to continuous flights over the same island.
Ankara is escalating its efforts to raise as high as possible the climate of tension in combination with the continuous provocative questioning of Greek sovereignty. With a “weapon” the unmanned UAVs Bayraktar and Anka “mark” specific islands in the Southeast and also in the Central Aegean. He is constantly increasing the pressure on Athens and is apparently looking for an episode in the air in order to “drag” the Greek side into negotiations.
The design is simple and straightforward. Cheap long-hour flights over the Archipelago and the Greek islands without material wear, staff fatigue and risk. Anka and Bayraktar to fly day and night in Athens FIR. To record dozens of violations every day, having now a permanent presence in the Aegean and indeed more and more to the West. To spy on and record military installations and Fleet Units. And at the same time wear down our Air Force by “loading” HAF fighters with hours of interception. The figures of the last few days are revealing and confirm the cunning tactics of the neighbors. 17 UAV overflights have been recorded over Greek islands since last Tuesday.
Ankara’s plan seems to be still in its infancy and this is yet another finding that causes serious concern to the Greek Staff. Until the end of 2022, according to the neighbors, the TCG Anadolu helicopter-aircraft carrier is also coming to the Aegean, which, according to Turkish sources, will have the ability to transport up to 50 armed Bayraktar UCAVs with all that entails. Essentially, it will be able to take off from any point of the Archipelago a large number of unmanned aircraft. Operationally, TCG Anadolu is anything but worried by the GEETHA and the rest of the Staffs. However, given the tactics of the neighbors and the mere fact that they will have a floating UAV take-off platform that can be moved anywhere in international waters, TCG Anadolu will be another hotbed of challenges even in areas far from Turkish shores.
“Answers are available,” military sources unequivocally emphasize to the question of how Turkish drones can be dealt with. Until now, the “unfortunate” role of recognition has been taken over by HAF fighters, but nothing has changed in the tactics of the neighbors since the Greek F-16s simply recognize and monitor the course of the Turkish UAVs. Anything above that requires a liberalization of the rules of engagement, a decision taken by the political leadership.
However, the anti-drone system, the installation of which will be completed within the next month, can also provide a solution to the problem. With the information stating that it can prove to be extremely effective although maybe Athens will decide to use it in other circumstances. But even in this case the activation is included in the release of rules of engagement. In any case, however, the feeling that exists in the Greek Staff is that Ankara is in a hurry and this makes it even more imperative to deal with the challenges with even greater composure and careful movements on the Greek side.
