MEDUSA 2026 military exercise begins near Crete with Greece, Egypt and Cyprus

The international joint military exercise “MEDUSA 15/2026” began on September 10 in the wider area of Crete, with the participation of military forces from Greece, Egypt and the Republic of Cyprus, and with assets present from France and Italy, according to flashnews.gr.

The exercise is scheduled to run until September 19. According to the report, it is one of the most significant training events in the Eastern Mediterranean, combining large-scale naval, air and land operations based on scenarios drawn from recent military conflicts.

The focus of the exercise is located southeast of Crete, where the Heraklion coastal radio station had already issued a NAVTEX notice reserving an area that falls within the limits of the Turkey-Libya memorandum, which Greece and other states consider illegal. The report states that the coordinates set out in the NAVTEX affirm Greece’s sovereignty and sovereign rights in the area.

New technologies and anti-drone systems

This year’s MEDUSA exercise places particular emphasis on the integration of new technologies, especially unmanned systems, into its training scenarios. FPV drones, anti-drone capabilities and modern surveillance and threat-response equipment are expected to be central to the training, according to the report.

The Greek anti-drone system “Kentavros” is expected to feature prominently, as one of the new capabilities being gradually incorporated into the operational environment of the Greek Armed Forces. Countering small, low-cost drones has become a critical part of modern combat scenarios, with lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East reported to have significantly changed the way operations are planned.

Forces and observer nations

According to the report, a broad range of personnel and equipment from the Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force and the Special Operations Command are taking part in MEDUSA 15/2026. Frigates, submarines, fast patrol boats, a helicopter carrier, fighter jets, helicopters, ground units and Special Operations detachments are involved in the field.

Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Mozambique are participating as observers, which the report says further strengthens the international profile of the exercise.

According to flashnews.gr, the main objective of MEDUSA is to enhance interoperability and joint action capability among different armed forces. Establishing a common operational picture, coordinating air and naval units, conducting amphibious and special operations, and enabling simultaneous action by different branches are described as key elements of this year’s planning.

Geopolitical context

The report notes that the exercise carries a clear geopolitical dimension. Military cooperation between Greece, Egypt and the Republic of Cyprus has developed in recent years into one of the more consistent security frameworks in the Eastern Mediterranean, while the presence of France and Italy is described as reinforcing a message of cooperation and stability in the region.

MEDUSA is held on a regular basis, with the host country rotating. According to the report, the 2025 edition was held in Egypt, while the previous edition hosted in Greece took place in 2024. This year the exercise returns to Crete, with what the report describes as increased operational interest and scenarios adapted to new threats on the modern battlefield.

Exercise scenarios

According to flashnews.gr, this year’s scenarios — as in most previous years, with the exception of 2023 — are expected to include, among others:

Amphibious operations and landing actions, with forces operating from sea to shore; air and naval operations coordinating fighter jets, warships, helicopters and other assets; Special Forces operations, including airborne and commando actions aimed at countering complex threats; responses to asymmetric threats and unmanned systems, with drones and electronic warfare playing an increasingly prominent role; and the protection of critical infrastructure and maritime installations, along with search and rescue scenarios.

The report cites naftemporiki.gr and onalert.gr as additional sources of information.