Turkey on Edge Over Imminent Arrival Of Greek Warship ‘Kimon’

Tensions between Greece and Turkey have escalated in the Aegean Sea following the imminent arrival of the Hellenic Navy’s new flagship frigate, Kimon, at the naval base of Salamis.

According to Greek defence sources, Ankara reacted strongly to the deployment of the advanced Belh@rra-type frigate by sending armed F-16 fighter jets into the Aegean, abruptly raising tensions and effectively undermining recent understandings aimed at maintaining calm in the region.

The Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) announced that on Friday, December 19, 2025, two armed Turkish F-16 aircraft carried out one airspace violation and one flight rule infringement, while engaging in a mock dogfight with Greek fighter jets that were scrambled to intercept them.

It marked the first aerial engagement between Greek and Turkish combat aircraft in nearly three years. The incident occurred in the airspace between the islands of Lemnos and Lesvos. The last such engagement was recorded on February 2, 2023, according to official GEETHA data.

In addition, a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) committed two flight rule violations, while a Turkish ATR-72 maritime patrol aircraft carried out one infringement and six airspace violations, further intensifying the situation in the Aegean.

Greek air defence forces intercepted all Turkish aircraft in accordance with established international procedures. Defence officials described the move as high-risk, warning that even a minor miscalculation could have triggered a serious military incident.

The arrival of Kimon, the first new warship delivered to Greece in almost 28 years since the frigate Salamis, has significantly altered the regional balance of power. The state-of-the-art FDI frigate is considered one of the most powerful surface combatants in the Mediterranean, equipped with cutting-edge systems and long-range missiles.

Greek officials compare its technological leap to that of the legendary cruiser Georgios Averof when it joined the fleet more than a century ago.

Kimon is armed with 32 Aster anti-aircraft missiles in vertical launch systems, providing the Hellenic Navy with area air defence capabilities for the first time since the era of the Adams-class destroyers. Its powerful AESA digital radar can reportedly detect aircraft at distances of up to 500 kilometres and ships beyond 80 kilometres.

The frigate also carries eight Exocet anti-ship missiles, a RAM close-in weapon system, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, CANTO countermeasures, and a 76mm naval gun. Together with three more frigates of the same class to be delivered to Greece, the system is expected to significantly enhance surveillance and defence across the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.

Complementing these capabilities are the new MH-60R “Romeo” anti-submarine helicopters acquired by Greece, intended to counter Turkey’s new Reis-class submarines, which are comparable to Greece’s Papanikolis-class fleet.

Defence analysts say the deployment of Kimon underscores Greece’s effort to modernise its navy and strengthen deterrence, while Turkey’s reaction highlights the fragile nature of stability in the Aegean.