Defence Redefined

Published on 27/05/2021 at 13:07

On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 and in the context of the completion of his official visit, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, attended the Distinguished Visitors Day, which was held in the framework of the bilateral LIVEX (Live Exercise) exercise of Greece and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the name “FALCON EYE – 2”. The Chief was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of the Royal Air Force of Saudi Arabia, Major General Talal Al Ghamdi, as well as Mr. Iason Karanikas, Deputy Head of the Diplomatic Mission and the Consular Office of Greece in Riyadh.

During the DV-DAY, the Chief of Staff was briefed on the exercise “FALCON EYE – 2” by the Commander of KING FAISAL Air Base, Major General Naser bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, in the presence of the Missions of the 2 countries. Addressing the latter, the Chief of Staff highlighted their major contribution to the security and stability of the region, which the two countries consistently and responsibly support.

Also read: In Saudi Arabia Konstantinos Floros – Further upgrade of military cooperation

An air demonstration took place, during which joining formations of F-16 fighter jets of the Hellenic Air Force and F-15 of the Royal Air Force were executed as well as an Airshow of the “Saudi Falcons Aerobatic Team”, during which special honors were given to the Greek flag.

The Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff also addressed the Greek Mission, to the members of which he pointed out, among other things, the special importance of their presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in terms of our bilateral relations, the value of the “FALCON EYE” exercises in deepening the cooperation of the two countries as well as the requirement to execute advanced scenarios in order to maximize the educational benefit and to increase the combat capability of the participants and the interoperability between our Armed Forces. Finally, he urged them to give their best for the successful execution of the exercise and wished them good flights and safe landings.

The above LIVEX (Live Exercise) exercise is a continuation of “FALCON EYE – 1” and is held from Monday May 24 to Wednesday June 2, 2021, with the unprecedented relocation of 4 F-16 Aircraft, 1 C-130 Aircraft and Hellenic Air Force ground support personnel at KING FAISAL Air Base in TABUK in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the exercise, Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) as well as Offensive – Defensive Counter Air (OCA-DCA) operations will be executed.

“FALCON EYE – 2” proves in practice the excellent relationship between the two countries and its continuous upgrade in military level. Both the presence of the Greek Chief of Staff and the unprecedented presence of fighter jets in Saudi Arabia constitutes the proof of the deepening of military cooperation between the two countries.

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