Turkish drone incursions over Aegean airspace sharply rising, Greek paper reports

Turkish aircraft, predominantly drones, are increasingly violating Greek airspace over the Aegean Sea, a trend that has sharply escalated in 2026. The Greek newspaper I Kathimerini reports that Turkish incursions, which were non-existent in 2024, jumped to 225 in 2025 and have already reached 433 this year, according to data from the Greek Ministry of Defense.

The situation has become more pronounced in the last two months, with a notable shift from fighter jets to various types of armed and unarmed drones. These include the Bayraktar, Aksungur, and ANKA-S models, operated by multiple branches of the Turkish armed forces. In early August alone, 97 violations were recorded, 72 of which involved drones.

I Kathimerini argues that "Ankara is adopting a logic of low-cost, risk-free violations," forcing Athens into "perilous interceptions at an exorbitant financial cost." Greece's Hellenic Air Force maintains a doctrine of continuous air presence to intercept all Turkish aircraft entering its zone of responsibility. However, the cost of a single F-16 interception mission can reach approximately 20,000 euros per flight hour, while a Bayraktar drone incurs a fraction of that cost and poses no risk to human life.

This new "asymmetry" in incursions, driven by cheaper and safer drone technology, presents a significant challenge for Greece's defense strategy and financial resources. The article highlights the growing tension in the Aegean Sea, fueled by these repeated airspace violations.