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Home , Hellenic Air Force, Hellenic Navy, Israeli Air Force, Israeli Navy, Neorion

Eugene Kogan

FOKUS | 10/2021

Israeli-Greek Naval, and Defence Industry Cooperation

Introduction in part to stimulate defending the sea­ the ’s connection with foreign fleets borne gas drilling installations around the which share common interests.8 The bilateral Israeli-Greek military and eastern Mediterranean. The exercises were defence industry cooperation was not also intended to simulate air-to-air combat and conducted a joint naval created in a vacuum, but is a by-product and anti- warfare and were exercise for the first time ever on July 18th, of the steadily deteriorating Israeli-Turkish overseen by the US Sixth Fleet.4 Since then, 2012; two years after Israeli-Turkish rela- relations which include two important the joint exercise has occurred annually. tions broke down. The bilateral exercise events: the famous World Economic Forum The ‘Noble Dina’ 2019 submarine hunting symbolises the coming together of the incident in Davos on January 29th, 2009 exercise, involving naval forces from Israel, two countries. ships conduc- and the Mavi Marmara incident on May Greece, and the US, was concluded in the ted five exercises in the Mirtoan Sea. The 31st, 2010.1 At the time of the incident, Mediterranean in late April 2019. Lt. Col Ei- exercises included firing missiles at the Prime Minister Erdogan said to President tan Paz, Commander of the 34 of rocky islet of Karavia west of .9 On Shimon Peres: “Mr Peres, you are older the Israel (IDF) Navy’s Mis- November 13th, 2017, three Israeli missile than me and your voice comes out in a sile Flotilla, said that: “Such exer- ships and a naval participated very loud tone. And the loudness of your cises are inherently difficult owing to the in the ’s autumn ‘war games.’ voice has to do with a guilty conscience. aspect of the common language between The main aim was to provide training My voice, however, will not come out in the participating forces, which in our case on how to deal with modern maritime the same tone. When it comes to killing, necessitated a two-month long prepara- threats while conducting evacuations of you know well how to kill.”2 The Davos in- tory process. The seamen studied NATO’s civilian populations. During the drill, the cident was further aggravated by the Mavi international Multinational Mari­time naval forces carried out advanced training Marmara incident, which left ten Turkish Tactical Procedures (MTP) language for in and the prevention citizens dead after clashing with Israeli joint exercises and practiced the exercise of maritime terrorist attacks as well as commandos as the latter boarded the ship scenarios on simulators. For the seamen of in advanced maritime medical evacua- which was trying to break the Gaza block­ the 3rd Flotilla, it was a special experience, tions.10 Israel has reaped many benefits ade.3 Moreover, the military component of going abroad with their vessels, docking at from the growing maritime partnership. A Israeli-Turkish relations, which used to be a foreign port, and spending a shore leave friendly partner like Greece owns similar the backbone of the relations, is still mis- with their counterparts from the Hellenic vessels to Israel’s – such as German-made sing and is unlikely to reappear in the near Navy and the US Navy. The experience air independent propulsion future. For this reason, Israel began looking is intended to enhance the cooperation which can travel great distances without for a like-minded partner in the eastern between the participating forces.”5 needing to resurface. Maintaining such Mediterranean as early as 2011. By 2021, submarines is complex and requires a lot the bilateral relations were expanded into IDF Navy sources said that the interna­ of knowledge. The have technical a fully-grown military cooperation that tio­nal exercises enhance the bonds with knowledge on maintenance and Israelis continues to flourish and also includes the their allies. Eventually, the Israelis became are happy to learn from them11 in order to defence industry cooperation that reached involved and extended assistance at the be self-sustain­able in the future. its zenith in April 2021. common language level, the willingness to help and solid foundations for doing In December 2020, a joint naval exercise From Naval Multinational Cooperation to things together in the future. As far as was held between Greece, , and Bilateral Cooperation the military aspect is concerned, it will be Israel. The latter displayed its capability to easier to face a real joint event after having land a helicopter on ships at sea and trans- It is important to stress that the United participated in joint training exercises.6 In fer injured personnel to hospitals on shore. States has encouraged Israeli-Greek naval the recent ‘Noble Dina’ naval exercise in If there is an urgent need for medical cooperation since the inauguration of the March 2021, in addition to Greece, evacuation of naval personnel operating ‘Noble Dina’ naval exercise in 2011. ‘Noble and joined for the first time.7 The in the eastern Mediterranean, then in Dina’ was the first trilateral naval exercise Navy led a large-scale exercise in which it the words of Antonio Mourinha, a senior led by the , Israel and Greece implemented capabilities in underwater officer in the naval command of NATO: and took place in 2012. It was reported in warfare, search and rescue, convoy escort “We do not have time to go to ” with April 2012 that Israel, Greece, and the US and surface combat. These exercises are of an Israeli casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) conducted joint air and naval exercises, paramount importance in strengthening capability serving to extend the network.12

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FOKUS | 10/2021

In other words, Israel, with its well-orga- Dimitrios Gritzaliotis, Commander of the spoke English but not everyone actually nised Navy and well-developed inland Greek deployment, commented: “I hope to commanded that language, and the main medical infrastructure, replaces Turkey as profit from this cooperation in a way that thing – they all had to fly together. There a major site for CASEVAC and becomes a both sides see the scenarios they train for are certainly similarities between the major pillar of non-NATO allies. daily and from a different point of view. Greeks and the Israelis. Pilots are pilots We expect to continue the cooperation but there are differences nevertheless and This is an indication of the enhanced between the two air forces and in the near it is interesting and important to listen military cooperation between Israel and future host the Israeli aircrews as they did and to learn. For the Israeli pilots, it was Greece in the naval sector and we can us.” 15 That is exactly what happened. definitely a giant leap in professionalism.20 expect further naval exercises between In June 2018, the IAF together with the English language proficiency for pilots is the two countries. This is also an indication HAF conducted a joint exercise over Greek not just a must but it is imperative during of trust and a learning curve for the Israeli skies. Long-distance flights and dozens real combat. As a result, the learning curve commanding officers and sailors. of aircrafts in unknown territory were and the interoperability of the fighter jets trained with air-to-air refuelling exercises are essentials for a successful air force From Air Forces Multinational Cooperation and mutual acquaintance of flight crews.16 operation. to Bilateral Cooperation In a statement, the Israeli Defence Forces noted that “40 Israeli fighter planes from An additional advantage in the joint exer- It needs to be emphasised that, like in the the 105 Flight Squadron as well as tanker cise is that Greece, as a member of NATO, aforementioned trilateral naval exercise, planes, which never landed during two operates according to NATO combat doc- the first ‘Blue Flag’ multinational air force missions, participated in the exercise.”17 trines. These doctrines differ from the ones exercise in Israel, including Greece, , The exercise was part of a series planned used by the IAF, and this, in turn, provides and the US, took place in November 2013. for 2018 to improve the operational readi- an opening for mutual learning and the Israel was looking forward to hosting ness of the Israeli armed forces. exchange of opinions. more air forces in the next ‘Blue Flag’ that, as a biannual event, was scheduled for In November 2018, the IAF F-16I fighter There is no doubt that the naval and air 2015.13 Following the 2015 and 2017 ‘Blue jet squadrons returned from a combined forces exercises have greatly impacted Flag’ exercises, the big novelty in the 2019 training in Greece alongside the HAF. At the way that the countries see each other. exercise was the first-ever participation of the same time, service members from the Strengthening their fraternity vis-à-vis the IAF F-35 together with the air forces Hellenic Attack Helicopter trained defence industry cooperation is discussed of , Greece, Italy, and the US. The in the IAF’s Ramon Air Force Base along- below. The so-called third leg of coopera­ cooperation enables high-quality inter- side the IAF’s Helicopter Division. tion underscores how quickly the coopera- national training, mutual learning, and tion proceeded and what was accomplis- the study of flight techniques, providing This was one of the largest fighter jet exer- hed in the last 12 months. an opportunity to strengthen relations cises held by the IAF overseas in 2018. The between the participating countries14 and HAF is an advanced force with excellent Defence Industry Cooperation enhancing the trust and understanding of weapon systems, pilots, and surface-to- the parties involved. air missile (SAM) batteries. The IAF want From Treating Greece as a Customer or a to learn how the HAF handles advanced Partner to Cooperation The first-ever and Hellenic threats. The Greeks fly differently than Isra- Air Force (HAF) joint exercise in Israel took do, and it is reasonable that they learn In addition to the naval and air forces place in December 2016. Colonel Am- from each other – why and how we fly cooperation, the Israeli defence industry non, Commander of the Ramat David Air the way we do.18 Many aircrew members sees Greece as an excellent customer for Force Base (AFB), noted that: “The Greek say that flying in international territory is Israeli defence systems. On May 6th, 2020, deployment was of historical significance a significant experience. To reinforce this the Director General of the Israeli Defence because the AFB usually does not host point, Lt. Col A., said that: “Taking off in an Ministry, Major General Uzi Adam (retired), foreign fighter division deployments. This unfamiliar area with an unfamiliar view is and the Director General for Defence was a trailblazing event. The last time a powerful, meaningful experience for a Investments and Armament of the Hellenic foreign fighter aircrafts were hosted in the young pilot. This is not even related to the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General AFB was in 1956. The Greeks are our long- exercise itself – the unique mountainous Theodoros Lagios (retired), signed an time partners, and the current exercise is a topography in Greece allows us to perform agreement for leasing two Israeli Heron step forward in our cooperation. The fact a high-quality exercise which is different UAVs to Greece for border defence. As part that this was a relatively small deployment to what we see in Israel.”19 The flight of the agreement, the Heron system in (a total of three squadrons) allowed us envelope was new to the Israeli pilots, and its maritime configuration was leased to to create an intimate training exercise they had to communicate over the radio Greece for a period of three years with the and develop tighter relationships.” Major with foreign partners. Admittedly, they all option to purchase the system in 2023.21 It

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is important to stress that the leased UAV of the military cooperation between the companies is to get their products to have with the maritime configuration include two states and underlines the importance a European and NATO “passport”, so that sensors and communications designed that Greece attaches to Israel, in general, they can be exported more successfully to monitor the extensive water borders of and in particular. It also to the international market28 and bought Greece that remain of prime security for emphasises the importance that the top internally by the Greek Army. the country. military leadership in the two countries attach to the long-term project that turns Conclusion Israel has reportedly agreed to upgrade Greece from a pure customer to a real the Greek AH-64 Apache helicopter. long-term partner. The last decade in Israeli-Greek military The contract is valued at $34 million and and defence industry cooperation has in­­cludes 19 . Elbit Systems of Is- Greek ONEX Shipyards and Is­raeli shown the strength and the depth of rael will provide a new Modernised Target Shipyards have signed a cooperation the bilateral relations. The two sides Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night agree­ment for the construction of next- have much to learn about each other’s Vision Sensor System (M-TADS/PNVS) and generation which will meet experience of operations in the eastern an integrated Helmet and Display Sighting Greece’s needs for future in Mediterranean while Greece shared its System (IHADSS) to be equipped on the the eastern Mediterranean. The agreement knowledge with Israel on how to operate helicopter. The helicopter will also be was signed during the visit by Kyriakos German-built submarines. The decade equipped with Rafael-built Spike NLOS Mitsotakis, Greek Prime Minister, to Israel since 2011 has clearly underlined the no- fire-and-forget anti- guided missiles.22 on June 16th, 2020.24 Naval News reported tion that Greece replaced Turkey as Israel’s that the Themistocles vessel will be parti- partner in multinational and bilateral air Finally, Israel signed a major defence ally built by , while it will be and naval forces and in the naval forces deal with Greece worth $1.65 billion on sharing the relevant know-how with and of Israel, Greece, and the US Navy. It can, April 18th, 2021.The deal was signed by be partially built by ONEX Shipyards. The therefore, be expected that multinatio- Yair Kulas (retired), Head design of the Greek vessel is basically the nal and bilateral cooperation between of the International Defence Cooperation same design of Israel’s Saar S-72 like-minded nations such as Israel and Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, and but with modifications according to the Greece will intensify in the coming years as Nikos Panagiotopoulos, Defence Minister, needs of the Hellenic Navy.25 the participants not only learn from each while Elbit Systems was represented by other’s tactics and strategy, but also gain its President and CEO, Bezhalel Machlis, In the next milestone between the two insight into the strengths and weaknesses and Yoram Shmueli, General Manager of countries, the Greek Parliament ratified an of pilots and sailors in an unfamiliar air Elbit Systems’ Aerospace Division. Through agreement with Israel on July 7th, 2020, for and sea space operation. In addition, since the Israeli company Elbit Systems, the the procurement of defence equipment Greece, as a member of NATO, operates Israeli Ministry of Defence will set up an and services. Nikos Panagiotopoulos, according to NATO combat doctrines, it Interna­tional Flight Training Centre for the Greece Defence Minister, said: “We gave opens the door for the IAF and the Navy based on the model of assurances to intensify contacts on the for an in-depth learning of the Alliance the Israel Air Force Flying School. production of defence material with Israeli doctrines and for sharing IAF and Navy firms that are interested in synergies and lessons with their Greek counterparts. Under the agreement, Elbit Systems will cooperation, even on co-production in supply new M-346 training aircraft and will Greece, with Greek defence companies. Whether or not one day in the future Israel maintain the entire training fleet com- I expect to see a significant amount of will be invited to join NATO is beyond the prising dozens of M-346 and T-6 training movement as of next month, with specific scope of this article. Nevertheless, it can be aircraft for a period of about 20 years. In proposals being put on the table.”26 said that Israel is already militarily aligned addition, the company will provide its la- with the Alliance; however, politically Israel test advanced Embedded Virtual Avionics Finally, the Israeli consortium of the SK has some way to go. (EVA) on-board the training aircraft and Group and Plasan acquired 79 percent of deliver networked flight simulators and an the Greek Hellenic Vehicle Industry (ELVO) Eugene Kogan array of Ground-Based Training Stations. company while the Greek State retained Defence and security expert The contract also includes command and 21 percent in ELVO.27 There will be three control systems to facilitate the effective new categories of vehicles that the new management of the flight training.23 ELVO will build; namely, military vehicles, another special type of vehicles, and civili- The recent deal between the two countries an vehicles. However, other products may is a major breakthrough for the Israeli include portable armature, added vehicle de­fence establishment and the defence in- shielding systems and electro-optical dustry. It highlights the rapid development equipment. A main goal for the Israeli

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Endnotes news/israeli-and-greek-governments-set-to-sign-expansive- defense-deal-654318 24) The Post: Israel, Greece Partnering to Build New 1) Kogan, Eugene, 2016: “Israeli-Turkish Relations: Coming Corvette Vessel for Hellenic Navy, (25 June 2020), https://www. Together but Going Alone”, European Security and Defence, jpost.com/israel-news/israel-greece-partnering-to-build-new- October 2016, p. 19. See also Egozi, Arie, 2018: “Israel Edges to corvette-vessel-for-hellenic-navy-632747 NATO as Turkey Pivots to ”, Breaking Defense, 26 March 25) Greek and Israeli Shipyards Teaming up to Propose 2018, https://breakingdefense.com/2018/03/israel-edges-to- Themistocles Corvette to Hellenic Navy, (24 June 2020), https:// -as-turkey-pivots-to-russia/ www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/06/greek-and-israeli- 2) The New York Times: Leaders of Turkey and Israel Clash at shipyards-teaming-up-to-propose-themistocles-corvette-to- Davos Panel (2009), https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/ hellenic-navy/ world/europe/30clash.html 26) Ekathimerini: Parliament Approves Defense Agreement 3) BBC: Mavi Marmara: Why did Israel stop the Gaza flotilla? (27 with Israel, (7 July 2020), https://www.ekathimerini.com/ June 2016), https://www.bbc.com/news/10203726 news/254456/parliament-approves-defense-agreement-with- 4) The Times of Israel: Joint Israeli-Greek Military Drill Seen israel/ by Some as Rebuff to Turkey, (1 April 2012), https://www. 27) Autogreek News: The Greek State Came to an Agreement timesofisrael.com/israel-greek-us-military-run-joint-exercises- for 21% in ELVO,(22 December 2020), https://autogreek.news/ in-eastern-med/ en/the-greek-state-came-to-an-agreement-for-21-of-elvo.html 5) Israel Defense: IDF Navy concludes international ASW exercise See also DefenceHub:ELVO was finally transferred to the Israeli in the Mediterranean, (23 April 2019), https://www.israeldefense. PLASAN by the Greek Ministry ofFinance, (22 February 2021),ht- co.il/en/node/38245 tps://defencehub.live/threads/elvo-was-finally-transferred-to- 6) Ibid the-israeli-plasan-by-the-greek-ministry-of-finance.5288/ 7) Defense News: For First Time, France and Cyprus Join Israel’s 28) Greek City Times: Israeli Consortium to Buy Greek Auto Noble Dina Naval Drill (12 March 2021), https://www.defense- Industry to Produce Military Vehicles, https://greekcitytimes. news.com/training-sim/2021/03/12/for-first-time-france-and-cy- com/2020/08/06/israeli-consortium-to-buy-greek-auto-indust- prus-join-israels-noble-dina-naval-drill/and The Jerusalem Post: ry-to-produce-military-vehicles/ Israel, France, Greece, Cyprus Come Together for Naval Military Exercise (13 March 2021), https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/ israel-france-greece-cyprus-come-together-for-naval-military- exercise-661786 8) Israel Defense: Israeli Navy-led ‘Noble Dina’ international naval exercise ends, (14 March 2021), https://www.israeldefense.co.il/ en/node/48836 9) Nastas, Panos, 2013: “Greek-Israeli-Cyprus Military and Secu- rity Relations”, Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS), 15 December 2013, https://www.rieas.gr/ researchareas/2014-07-30-08-58-27/greek-israel-studies/2077- greek-israeli-cyprus-military-and-security-relations-a-preview 10) Lappin, Yaakov, 2017:“Israeli and NATO Ramp Up Ties”, The Begin- Center for Strategic Studies (BESA), 17 Decem- ber 2017, https://besacenter.org/israeli-nato-navies-ramp-ties/ 11) Ibid 12) Israel Defense: Israeli Navy, NATO hold joint exercise in Mediterranean, (17 December 2020), https://www.israeldefense. co.il/en/node/47183 13) Defense Update: Blue Flag 2013 multinational air combat exercise held in Israel, https://defense-update.com/20131126_ blueflag.html 14) Israel Defense: Israel’s F-35 aircraft take part in Blue Flag international exercise for first time, (3 November 2019), https:// www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/40782 15) Israel Defense: IAF, Hellenic Air Force concluded joint exer- cise in Israel, (26 December 2016), https://www.israeldefense. co.il/en/node/28023 16) The Times of Israel: With no Landings, Israeli Jets Train for Long-Range Missions in Greece, (11 June 2018), https://www. timesofisrael.com/with-no-landings-israeli-jets-train-for-long- range-missions-in-greece/ 17) Ibid 18) Israeli Air Force: IAF trains in Greece, (7 November 2018), © Austria Institut für Europa- https://www.iaf.org.il/4479-50680-en/IAF.aspx und Sicherheitspolitik, 2021 19) Ibid 20) Israel Defense: Cooperative Alliances at cruising level, Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Nachdruck oder ver­ (26 November 2018), https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/ gleich­bare Verwendungen von Arbeiten des node/36492 Austria Instituts für Europa- und Sicherheitspolitik 21) The Jerusalem Post: Greece to Lease Heron Drones from Israel for Maritime Surveillance, (6 May 2020), https://www.jpost. (AIES) sind auch in Auszügen nur mit vorheriger com/israel-news/greece-to-lease-heron-drone-from-israel-for- Genehmigung gestattet. Die im AIES-Fokus maritime-surveillance-627065 veröffentlichten Beiträge geben ausschließlich die 22) Defense World: Israel to upgrade Greek AH-64 Apache Meinung der jeweiligen Autorinnen und Autoren helicopters, (20 July 2020), https://www.defenseworld.net/ wieder. news/27458/Israel_to_Upgrade_Greek_AH_64_Apache_Heli- copters#.YJqLY7UzbIU Dr. Langweg 3, 2410 Hainburg/Donau 23) Globes: Israel Signs Major Defense Deal with Greece, (18 Tel. +43 (1) 3583080 April 2021), https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-signs-major- E-Mail: [email protected] defense-deal-with-greece-1001367862 . See also The Jerusalem Website: www.aies.at Post: Israeli and Greek Governments Set to Sign Expansive Defense Deal, (5 January 2021), https://www.jpost.com/israel- Layout: Medienbüro Meyer

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