Türkiye’s ‘Blue Homeland 2025’ naval drill sparks concern from Greek media

Türkiye’s upcoming ‘Blue Homeland 2025’ naval exercise, set to take place between Jan. 7–16 across the Black Sea, Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, has drawn significant criticism and concern in Greece, with local media describing it as a “show of force.”

The large-scale drill, one of the most extensive military exercises conducted by Türkiye’s Naval Forces, will involve 87 ships, seven submarines, seven unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), 31 aircraft, 17 helicopters, 28 UAVs/UCAVs and 20,000 personnel, including elite SOF personnel.

Greek media reacts to Türkiye’s naval exercise

Greek newspaper Ta Nea highlighted the exercise under the headline, “100 Warships in Blue Homeland.”

The publication speculated that the timing of the drill could affect Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis‘ planned visit to Ankara in February.

Another major Greek daily, Kathimerini, framed the event as Türkiye’s “First Major Move of 2025.”

Other Greek media reports also covered the event from a similar perspective.

Significance of Blue Homeland 2025 for Türkiye

The ‘Blue Homeland 2025’ exercise marks Türkiye‘s return to large-scale naval drills after a three-year hiatus caused by natural disasters and diplomatic de-escalation agreements with Greece.

The exercise aims to:

• Test Türkiye’s operational readiness across three major seas simultaneously.
• Enhance joint operational capabilities among Türkiye’s Naval, Air, Land, and Coast Guard forces.
• Evaluate the performance of locally produced defense technologies, weapons, and ammunition in complex scenarios.