The multinational air exercise NATO Tiger Meet 2026 has officially begun at Araxos Air Base in western Greece, bringing together air forces from NATO member and partner countries for a large-scale training operation running from late April to 20 May 2026.
According to the Hellenic Air Force, the exercise aims to enhance operational readiness and cooperation under complex modern air warfare conditions, following the principle of “train as you fight.”
More than 50 fighter jets and helicopters, supported by approximately 1,000 personnel, are expected to participate daily in coordinated missions covering a wide range of scenarios, including defensive and offensive air operations, interception, targeting missions, suppression of enemy air defenses, and support for land and naval forces.
The exercise also involves airborne surveillance support and takes place across a broad operational area, highlighting multinational coordination among participating forces.
From Monday 4 May to Thursday 14 May 2026, the multinational medium-scale air exercise “NATO Tiger Meet 2026” is being conducted at the 116th Combat Wing at Araxos Air Base.
Three-Phase Exercise Timeline
NATO Tiger Meet 2026 is structured into three distinct phases:
- Phase 1: Deployment of Forces
27 April – 1 May 2026 - Phase 2: Execution of Operations
4 May – 14 May 2026 - Phase 3: Redeployment of Forces
15 May – 20 May 2026
The main operational activity takes place during the execution phase in early to mid-May.
Public Events: Spotters Day and Air Show
Two major public-access events are scheduled during the exercise:
- Spotters Day: 8 May 2026 (07:30–17:00 local time)
- Air Show: 10 May 2026 (09:00–15:00 local time)
Both events allow aviation enthusiasts and the public to observe participating aircraft and operations up close.
Tickets are required for entry:
- Spotters Day: €50
- Air Show: €10
Participants must register in advance, with additional instructions and payment details provided through official channels.
A Large-Scale NATO Training Environment
The exercise takes place across the wider Athens Flight Information Region and includes air forces from Greece, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
In addition, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, India, and the Netherlands are participating as observers. Naval forces and special operations units are also involved, further expanding the scope of the exercise.
The exercise is hosted by the 335 Squadron of the Hellenic Air Force and forms part of the long-standing NATO Tiger Meet tradition, which brings together units with shared operational standards and cooperation goals.
