The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) successfully concluded the multinational air exercise INIOCHOS 2026 on 20 March 2026, marking the end of an intensive two-week training period that brought together air and joint forces in a complex, high-tempo operational environment. The exercise, which commenced on 9 March, reaffirmed Greece’s role as a key hub for advanced air warfare training in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Hosted primarily at Andravida Air Base, the exercise saw the deployment of all participating foreign air assets operating from a single location, enhancing coordination and interoperability. In parallel, additional HAF fighter aircraft operated from the 116 Combat Wing, enabling expanded operational flexibility and a broader distribution of missions across the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR).

This year’s edition featured international participation from France, Slovenia and Albania. The French Air and Space Force deployed Mirage 2000D fighter aircraft, contributing strike and precision engagement capabilities. Slovenia participated with PC-9 turboprop aircraft, supporting training roles, while Albania contributed AS-532 helicopters, adding rotary-wing operational elements to the exercise. The Hellenic Air Force fielded its full spectrum of fighter aircraft types, along with helicopters and transport aircraft, demonstrating its comprehensive operational readiness and multi-role capabilities.

Over the course of the exercise, a total of 914 sorties were executed, covering the entire Athens FIR. Missions were conducted under demanding conditions, both day and night, reflecting realistic combat scenarios designed to replicate modern battlefield challenges. These operations included a wide range of mission profiles, encompassing air superiority, strike operations, close air support, reconnaissance, and combat search and rescue, all integrated into complex, high-fidelity scenarios.

A key feature of INIOCHOS 2026 was its joint and multinational character. In addition to air assets, forces from the Hellenic Army, the Hellenic Navy, and the Special Warfare Command actively contributed to the development and execution of advanced operational scenarios. Their involvement enabled the integration of cross-domain operations, enhancing the realism of the training environment and strengthening joint operational capabilities.

Further international engagement was evident through the participation of Poland, which deployed Special Forces personnel and observers, while Georgia, Serbia and Croatia were represented by observer teams. This broad participation underscores the growing international interest in the exercise and its value as a platform for cooperation, knowledge exchange and operational alignment among allied and partner nations.

Notably, INIOCHOS 2026 also extended into the digital domain through the use of advanced simulation systems. Missions were conducted using the F-16 Tactical Simulators of the Operational Synthetic Training Squadron at the Air Tactics Center, enabling the integration of live and virtual training environments. This blended approach enhances training effectiveness while reflecting the evolving nature of modern warfare, where digital and physical battlespaces are increasingly interconnected.

Overall, INIOCHOS 2026 demonstrated a high level of operational readiness, interoperability and adaptability among participating forces. By combining live flight operations with advanced simulation and joint-force integration, the exercise continues to evolve as one of Europe’s most demanding and comprehensive air training events, reinforcing Greece’s strategic role in regional and allied defence cooperation.