The Zionist entity is working to strengthen its ties with Cyprus and Greece as part of a broader effort to counter growing Turkish influence in the eastern Mediterranean, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Tel Aviv views Greek Cyprus as a strategic “aircraft carrier” and is building a regional alliance with Athens and Lefkosa (Nicosia) to counter Turkey’s expanding influence in the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria.
Israeli Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar held a trilateral meeting with senior Greek and Greek Cypriot Air Force officials in Greek Cyprus in recent days, with the gathering intended in part to “signal to Ankara that Israel is not standing idle against Turkish regional moves,” Israeli security sources told Israeli media outlet Kan News.
🚨 BREAKING: Israeli Air Force Chief Tomer Bar met with senior leaders of the Greek Air Force, with discussions focused on regional security and Türkiye’s expanding military power and influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) December 17, 2025
Source: Kan News 🇮🇱🇬🇷🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/hvHAC0prQ8
Israeli reports described the alliance with Greek Cyprus and Greece as a significant strategic asset, with Maj. Gen. Bar has recently led a series of moves to strengthen ties, including joint exercises and the development of integrated defense capabilities.
The Israeli Air Force has previously trained using Greek Cypriot airport runways as alternative landing sites in case Israeli air base runways are disabled by missile attacks.
According to Israeli reports, the Israeli Air Force is concerned about Turkey, particularly the potential blocking of air corridors in the northern and eastern Mediterranean.
There are also fears that Turkey may deploy radar and air defense systems in Syria that could restrict Israeli Air Force freedom of movement, which currently enjoys near-complete operational freedom over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
Earlier last month, Reuters reported that Greece is in talks with ‘Israel’ to purchase air defense and advanced artillery systems to establish a new air defense array against aircraft and UAVs.
Greece has announced a large-scale plan to upgrade its armed forces, with approximately €28 billion ($32.8 billion) to be invested by 2036. Around €3 billion will be used to create a multi-layered defense system against aircraft and UAVs called “Achilles Shield.”