Turkish Bayraktar drone flies north of Ikaria, prompting Greek fighter interception

A Turkish Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flew north of Ikaria in the central Aegean Sea, violating air traffic rules by operating without a filed flight plan. In response, the Greek Air Force scrambled fighter jets to identify and intercept the drone. The Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HEDN) monitored the aircraft's trajectory throughout the incident.

This event follows a recent incident in Alexandroupoli, where a Turkish drone approached the terminal control area (CTR) of the ‘Dimokritos’ state airport. That previous occurrence coincided with the takeoff of a scheduled commercial flight, necessitating immediate intervention by air traffic controllers and military authorities to prevent an accident. Analysts suggest the use of UAVs allows for aerial presence and potential reconnaissance while avoiding the continuous use of manned fighter aircraft.