Greek Air Force patrolling North Macedonia air space

f-16
printscreen/Reuters

The Balkan Security Network said that the Greek Air Force began patrolling North Macedonia’s airspace since December 9 because that country does not have the aircraft to do the hob.

The Network said that North Macedonia can’t afford to buy the necessary aircraft and train pilots which is one of the reasons why it joined NATO. Greek military aircraft are allowed to enter North Macedonia’s airspace to intercept any aircraft that air traffic controllers lose contact with or which pose any kind of danger.

The first patrol was flown by two Greek F-16C with the 337th Squadron launched out of their base in Larissa and flying some 180 kilometers to the the city of Bitola to locate a passenger aircraft that lost contact with Skoplje air traffic control. The order to launch fighters came from the control center at the Torejon base north of Madrid. The first patrol was an exercise which included a North Macedonia government Learjet 60 which was escorted to an airport flying over Skoplje.

An E-3A AWACS was also engaged flying from Germany in a show of support for the youngest NATO member state.

Under the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence NATINAMDS, member state have to set up air surveillance which includes radar systems. North Macedonia has an air surveillance battalion in its military but does not have adequate radar.

The North Macedonia military is responsible for air space control up to 3,000 meters with the Greek Air Force taking over at higher altitudes.