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The Conflict of the “Corridors”: The alliance of Greece, India, Israel & the great “war” with Turkey – From the Eastern Mediterranean to the Horn of Africa

 By Andreas Mountzouroulias

The alliance of Greece, India and Israel constitutes an emerging geopolitical axis that connects the Eastern Mediterranean with the Indo-Pacific, with defense, energy and economic connectivity as its main pillars. 

1. Strategy and Defense (“Mediterranean Quad”) 

Often referred to as the “Mediterranean Quad” (modeled after the US-India-Japan-Australia alliance), it aims to address common challenges:

• Counterweight in Turkey & Pakistan: Athens and New Delhi have come closer due to the close defense cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan. Greece sees India as strategic depth beyond the Euro-Atlantic framework.
• Military Cooperation: It includes joint exercises (e.g. the Greek frigate “Psara” in Mumbai in 2025), information exchange and discussions on armament programs, such as the possible sale of Indian cruise missiles (LRLACM) to Greece.
• Israeli role: Israel is the central technology and defense hub, collaborating closely with Greece on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity.

2. Economic Connectivity (IMEC)

The backbone of their economic relationship is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):

• The aim is to connect Indian ports with Europe through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel (Haifa port) and Greece (Piraeus port).
• The corridor includes rail connections, power lines and data transmission cables.

3. Energy and Infrastructure

• Great Sea Interconnector (GSI): A mammoth electrical interconnection project that will connect the networks of Israel, Cyprus and Greece, which has now been integrated into IMEC's ​​broader planning.
• Natural Gas Extraction: The three countries (along with Cyprus) are cooperating to exploit the deposits of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Recent Developments (2025-2026)

• Tripartite Meeting: At the Jerusalem summit (December 2025), the intention to expand the “Greece-Cyprus-Israel” scheme with the official participation of India was confirmed.
• Defense Agreement: In February 2026, Greece and India signed a new defense agreement, strengthening their military interoperability.
• Cyber ​​Defense: In January 2026, Greece and Israel agreed to deepen cooperation to counter cyber threats and drone swarms.

1. Greece – India: New Defense Architecture

On February 9, 2026, the Defense Ministers of the two countries signed a historic agreement in New Delhi. Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defense industrial cooperation.

• 5-Year Roadmap: A five-year plan was agreed to link the Greek defense reform “Agenda 2030” with the Indian program “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India).
• Military Cooperation Program 2026: It includes joint exercises and the placement of a Greek liaison officer at the Indian Intelligence Fusion Center (IFC-IOR).
• Technology: Discussions focus on drones, anti-drone systems and the possible procurement of Indian missiles (such as BrahMos or LRLACM).

2. Greece – Israel: Strategic Upgrade

In January 2026, the Defense Cooperation Program for 2026, which includes 54 common activities.

• Equipment: The cooperation includes the supply of radar ELM-2084, systems PULSE (multiple rocket launchers) and discussions about Lora and Predator Hawk ballistic missiles.
• Cyber ​​Defense & R&D: Emphasis is placed on joint research and development of cutting-edge technologies and on strengthening cybersecurity.
• Exercises: Israeli forces return to exercise SUMMER 2026, while joint aeronautical exercises are planned south of Crete

3. Trilateral Axis (Greece-Cyprus-Israel) & India

The trilateral arrangement with Israel and Cyprus remains the core of security in the Eastern Mediterranean, with India acting as the strategic partner connecting the region to the Indo-Pacific.

• IMEC: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) constitutes the geopolitical framework that requires protection of infrastructure (Haifa and Piraeus ports) from common threats.
• Rapid Reaction Force: There are reports of discussions to create a trilateral rapid deployment force (~2.500 people) to address regional threats in the Eastern Mediterranean.

This convergence is based on a common understanding of maritime security and the need to confront revisionist forces in the wider region.

1. Main Equipment Programs (2025-2026)

In February 2026, India approved a huge arms package from Israel worth $8,6 – $8,7 billionThe main systems include:

• Precision Missiles: Supply of 1.000 kits SPICE-1000 (smart bombs), air-to-surface missiles Rampage and the new cruise missiles Ice breaker.
• Ballistic Missiles: System integration Air LORA, an air-launched ballistic missile with a range of up to 400 km.
• Individual Armament: $3,3 billion deal for 425,000 Arab women CQBs, which will be manufactured in India through a joint venture between IWI and the Adani group.
• Drones: Drone fleet upgrade Heron (Project Cheetah) and supply of kamikaze drones (loitering munitions) such as Harop.

2. “Make in India” Strategy & Joint Ventures

The collaboration now focuses on the domestic production of Israeli technology on Indian soil:

• Barak-8 (MRSAM): The most successful joint development program for land and sea air defense.
• ELTX Joint Venture: New joint venture between IAI and the Indian DCX Systems to manufacture advanced radar and electronic systems in India.
• Aviation Infrastructure: HAL collaborates with IAI to convert civilian aircraft into aerial refueling aircraft (tankers).

3. Recent Diplomatic Developments (February 2026)

• Modi's visit to Israel: Scheduled visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Tel Aviv (February 25, 2026) with the aim of signing new agreements in cutting-edge technologies, such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) in defense.
• New Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): It was signed on February 20, 2026, strengthening cooperation between the defense industries of the two countries under the new Indian procurement framework (DAP 2026).

Read also: The China-US conflict over Greece & IMEC

This cooperation, combined with the Greek-Israeli defense relationship, creates a single space of technological superiority that extends from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean.

Developments in the Horn of Africa in 2025 and early 2026 have created a new field of geopolitical confrontation, where the Greece-India-Israel axis and the UAE confront the influence of Turkey and Somalia. 

1. Israel's Historical Recognition of Somaliland

At December 26 2025, Israel became the first UN member state to officially recognize the Σομαλιλάνδη as an independent state.

• Strategic Goal: This move ensures Israel access to critical sea passages in the Gulf of Aden, acting as a counterweight to the Houthi presence and Iranian influence in the Red Sea.
• The role of the UAE: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the main financial supporter of Somaliland (through DP World's management of the Berbera port) and is considered the "architect" behind Israeli recognition.

2. Turkey's Reaction and the Alliance with Somalia

Turkey strongly condemned the recognition of Somaliland, supporting its territorial integrity. Somalia.

• Defensive Armor: In January 2026, Turkey developed F-16 fighters in Mogadishu and sent a naval strike force to protect Somali waters.
• Energy Penetration: Turkish drills (such as the Mr. Cagri) began deep-sea drilling for oil and gas in Somalia's EEZ in early 2026.

3. India and Ethiopia: The IMEC Connection

India sees Somaliland as a gateway for its products to Africa, bypassing Chinese infrastructure.

• Synergy with Israel: India provides the “legitimization” and connectivity to the Global South, while Israel provides the technological and defense umbrella for the security of trade routes.
• Ethiopia: Ethiopia, although initially hesitant to recognize Somaliland, has aligned itself with the Israel-UAE-India axis to secure its own access to the sea.

4. The Conflict of the “Corridors”

The region has been divided into two competing camps:

1. IMEC Axis (Israel, India, UAE, Greece, Somaliland, Ethiopia): It promotes stability through ports and maritime security, with Somaliland as a central hub.
2. Resistance/Dominance Axis (Turkey, Somalia, Qatar): It focuses on maintaining existing borders and Islamic solidarity, with Turkey acting as the guarantor of Somalia's security.

The situation remains extremely fragile, as the presence of Turkish and Israeli interests within striking distance increases the risk of regional escalation.

The Conflict of the “Corridors”: The alliance of Greece, India, Israel & the great “war” with Turkey – From the Eastern Mediterranean to the Horn of Africa