New collision between Greek and Turkish ships in Aegean
Greece on 4 May said one of its warships had collided with a Turkish ship in the Aegean Sea, the latest in a series of terse encounters between the regional rivals and NATO allies.
The Greek navy said the Turkish merchantman ship had ‘approached and touched’ one of its gunboats, which was taking part in a NATO exercise.
After the collision the merchantman fled back towards Turkish waters, the navy said.
‘Nobody was hurt and no serious damage was caused,’ it added.
Turkey has for decades disputed Greek sovereignty over Aegean waters and airspace close to Turkish shores, which Athens says is based on postwar treaties.
The two countries nearly went to war over a cluster of uninhabited islets in 1996, and mock dogfights between the two airforces are common.
In April, a Greek fighter pilot died when his plane crashed in the Aegean while returning from a mission to intercept Turkish jets.
A few days earlier, Greek soldiers had fired warning shots at a Turkish helicopter after it approached the small island of Ro, which is on Greece's border in the Aegean's southeast.
There is also tension over Greece's refusal to extradite eight Turkish soldiers who sought refuge in the country after the failed 2016 army coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Greek Supreme Court has ruled against extradition, arguing that they would not receive a fair trial in Turkey.
In turn, Turkey has refused to release two Greek soldiers who were caught in March after crossing the border, claiming to have lost their way in the fog.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Australian navy commissions two additional Austal-built patrol boats
Despite bolstering its patrol fleet with new Evolved Cape-class vessels, the Royal Australian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel programme remains mired in delays, indecision and criticism over underwhelming capabilities.
-
Helsing unveils new AI-enabled uncrewed underwater glider
The glider, named SG-1 Fathom, has been designed to be scalable and affordable, and can be deployed for up to three months at a time, according to Helsing.
-
US Coast Guard faces the “greatest readiness challenge since World War II”, says Homeland Security Secretary
The service currently has diverse problems in its procurement programmes and capability gaps in its inventory, writes Shephard’s North America editor Flavia Camargos Pereira.
-
Singapore to upgrade Super Rapid 76mm guns with Strales system
A total of 28 active surface ships will receive the upgrades to their weaponry to help them combat the growing threat from UAVs.
-
Will the US be able to make its shipbuilding industry “great again”?
The White House and Congress have been increasing efforts to support the national maritime industry.
-
Euroatlas brings Greyshark AUV to Asia for its maiden visit
Euroatlas displayed its Greyshark autonomous underwater vehicle outside Europe for the first time, highlighting variant specifications and development progress at IMDEX 2025.