On Friday 01 April 2022, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos made the following address, upon conclusion of the activities of the International Joint Medium-Scale Air Exercise “INIOCHOS 22”:
“We have just watched the final stage of the great Air Exercise “Iniochos 2022”, with the participation of many countries, either with actual air force assets or as observers.
Today, here, from Andravida Base, we send a strong message of solidarity and deterrence in all directions, since more than seventy aircraft in total, all these days, have flown throughout the Hellenic FIR, the National Airspace, from Kastelorizo to Othonoi and from Evros to Crete, sending – as I said – this strong message in all directions.
In an extremely demanding operational environment, as well as an especially (potentially) destabilising geopolitical environment, Greece once more proves that it constitutes a strong pillar of security and stability in the region.
I would like to congratulate and thank all those who participated in the Exercise all these days, state that I am really satisfied with the participation of Allies and friends, and remind everyone that, with each year, Exercise “Iniochos” is becoming all the more interesting, with a greater dynamic, in circumstances where security challenges also develop their own dynamics, and this, as you understand, has its own special importance.
Congratulations to all participants.
Thank you”.
