Significant development – IDF spokesperson: “We will share with Greece what we have learned about the F-35s. The Greeks know how to prevail at sea” IDF: Israel to share F-35 experience with Greece, citing Greek mastery at sea.
Developments in Iran, growing competition between Turkey and Israel in Syria, the re-emergence of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and wider instability across the Middle East are once again creating conditions for escalation in the broader region.
Within this fluid geopolitical environment, Greece, Cyprus and Israel are seeking to deepen their strategic partnership — one that goes beyond arms procurement to include the exchange of intelligence, operational experience and technical expertise.
In this context, Jerusalem has indicated its willingness to share with Athens the lessons learned from recent theatres of conflict, drawing on Israel’s operations across seven fronts since 7 October 2023.
These lessons include operational insights into the use of the F-35 across the full spectrum of missions undertaken by the Israeli Air Force. In an exclusive interview with Kathimerini, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said Israel is prepared to share its experience just hours before the arrival of Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz in Athens.
“We will share our knowledge”
Greece is expected to receive its first stealth F-35 fighter jets in the United States before the end of 2028, with delivery to the 117th Combat Wing at Andravida planned for early 2030. In the meantime, Greek pilots are gaining valuable experience through joint training with their Israeli counterparts, who are also expected to participate in this year’s “Iniochos” air exercise.
“When it comes to the F-35, Israel has the greatest operational experience in the entire region,” Lt Col Shoshani said. “No other air force has used this aircraft as extensively, across so many fronts and in such a wide range of missions. Even the Americans are interested in our operational experience and the data we gather from F-35 deployments.”
According to Kathimerini, Athens has expressed strong interest in the transfer of Israeli know-how and tactics, particularly in operations related to the suppression of enemy air defences and strikes against critical infrastructure and time-sensitive targets.
“Unfortunately, Israel has accumulated extensive experience in these missions because of the threats it faces,” Shoshani noted. “We will do everything we can to share our knowledge with the Greeks.”
Exchange of expertise
Israeli operational doctrine relies heavily on air power, achieving air superiority to enable deep penetration into hostile territory, neutralising air defences and supporting ground forces. The IDF’s experience in these domains — as well as in ground manoeuvres and urban warfare — is widely regarded as extensive.
“At a strategic level, threat identification and response, as well as tactical lessons learned, are of great interest to both Greek and Cypriot officials,” the IDF spokesperson said.
Israel, he explained, has faced threats previously unseen: terrorist attacks from land and sea, amphibious operations targeting offshore energy infrastructure, tunnel warfare and combat in densely populated urban environments. “Our partners are extremely interested in these lessons.”
However, Israel lacks comparable experience in the maritime domain — an area where Greece’s armed forces, and particularly the Hellenic Navy, hold a clear advantage.
“The Greek armed forces have immense experience at sea, from ancient times through to the modern era,” Shoshani said. “This is something we have not yet had to confront, but the Greeks know how to prevail at sea.”
Stability through partnership
Only days ago, Greece, Cyprus and Israel signed a revised military cooperation memorandum for 2026. “There is a very special relationship between our countries,” Shoshani said, citing geography and shared history. “Our policy is to expand our alliances, cooperate and exchange intelligence with countries with which we share common interests and values. We want strong partners like Greece and Cyprus to promote stability against forces that threaten regional security.”
He added that more joint exercises and training opportunities with Greece are planned this year. Drawing a parallel with Israel’s cooperation with the United States, Shoshani noted that joint drills in the Red Sea prior to 7 October ensured readiness when Houthi attacks began.
“The same applies to Greece and Israel,” he said. “Our cooperation is a vital process that will provide the foundations needed, should the time come, to confront destabilising forces in the region.”
