Greece on Alert as Turkey Launches Major Naval Exercise

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Turkey will conduct a major naval exercise in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean from September 20 to 24, 2026, as tensions in Greek-Turkish relations increase.

Turkish Defence Ministry spokesperson Zeke Aktürk officially announced the surface naval exercise, “Denizkurdu-I”, which will involve activities across several strategically important areas.

The exercise comes as the period of relative calm in the Aegean faces renewed pressure from the systematic return of Turkish claims and rhetoric concerning the region.

Exercise to span four maritime regions

“Denizkurdu-I” will take place simultaneously in the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.

According to Ankara, the exercise aims to test interoperability procedures and strengthen decision-making capabilities in a multiple-threat environment.

The exercise will reach its peak on September 24 during the Distinguished Visitors Day, or DV-Day.

Activities that day will take place in the Eastern Mediterranean aboard the TCG Anadolu, Turkey’s amphibious assault ship and flagship platform of its defence industry.

The deployment of the TCG Anadolu highlights Ankara’s stated capability to conduct operations beyond its coastline and sends messages to both Athens and Nicosia.

Exercise comes amid renewed tensions

“Denizkurdu-I” comes against an already strained backdrop.

Despite efforts to keep communication channels open through confidence-building measures, developments on the ground indicate a shift from a period of de-escalation towards renewed, controlled tensions.

In recent months, Ankara has intensified its rhetoric. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has raised issues concerning the military presence on Greek islands.

Several other disputes continue to affect Greek-Turkish relations.

Maritime parks: Turkey’s adoption of maritime spatial plans in the Aegean, including areas between Greek islands such as Lemnos and Samothrace, has prompted a strong response from Athens.

The Blue Homeland doctrine: Ankara continues to frame its military exercises within the “Blue Homeland” doctrine, while challenging Greek claims concerning the continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

The Great Sea Interconnector: Geopolitical tensions surrounding the electricity cable linking Crete and Cyprus have revived concerns about a possible naval confrontation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Against this backdrop, the large-scale exercise in the Aegean adds another source of pressure.

The return of violations of Greek national airspace by Turkish fighter jets and UAVs further underlines the level of operational activity between the two countries.

Greek Armed Forces remain on alert

Athens is closely monitoring movements by the Turkish fleet.

As with the previous “Denizkurdu-II” exercise, the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) has placed Greek units on heightened alert.

Greek Navy units, submarines and surveillance assets have deployed to key positions across the Aegean to monitor Turkish movements.

The “Denizkurdu-I” exercise underlines the continuing fragility of the geopolitical environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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