The GEETHA announced the conduct of ADEX (Air Defense Exercise) joint training on July 29, between a pair of F-16 Block 52+ fighter aircraft of the Air Force and the frigate “PROVENCE” (D652) of the French Navy, in the wider maritime area southeast of Karpathos.
During the joint training, air defense scenarios were carried out, which contributed to the promotion of the level of operational readiness, combat capability and cooperation of the participants in a bilateral and allied context.
The pair of fighter planes that participated in the joint training came from the 343rd “Asteri” Squadron of the 115th Fighter Wing. The Squadron has, among other things, a SEAD role with the main weapon being the AGM-88B HARM anti-radar missile. These missiles can also be used against naval targets, aiming to attack radar systems, i.e. their main combat sensor.
The use of JHMCS, in addition to optimal weapons use, improves the situational awareness of the aviator when maximum alertness is required to deal with very low-flying surface-to-air missile threats while also serving to additionally record the action for the post-mission review process.
The said joint training is part of the implementation of the “Guidelines for the Upgrade of Greek-French Military Cooperation” signed by the Chief of the Greek-French Military Cooperation, General Konstantinos Floros, and the Chief of the French Defense Staff, General Thierry Burkhard, during his official visit to the Greek-French Military Cooperation on the 21 January 2022.
