Following the start of the multinational air exercise INIOCHOS 2026, the first images of two historic and legendary fighter-bombers have begun to emerge: the F-4E Phantom II of the Hellenic Air Force and the Mirage 2000D RMV of the French Air and Space Force. Both models are part of the international deployment for a new edition of the exercises taking place in Greece.
Thanks to a series of images published by the French Armed Forces General Staff, it can be seen how the French Mirage 2000D RMV and the Greek F-4E Phantom II carried out the first activities of the INIOCHOS 2026 exercise. In its publication on X, the French General Staff noted that Greek F-16 Fighting Falcons also participated in the recent operations. Alongside the Phantom II and Mirage, the combat aircraft conducted low-altitude navigation flights as part of the first days of the exercise.
For its 2026 edition, INIOCHOS began on March 2 with the deployment of personnel and assets at Andravida Air Base, both from the host nation and from the invited air forces. In addition to France with its Mirage 2000D and E-3F Sentry, the multinational air exercise will feature the participation of Slovenia with PC-9 light aircraft and Albania with AS-532 helicopters. Poland will also be present with a special operations team, while Croatia, Serbia, Georgia, and India will participate with observers.
Currently, INIOCHOS 2026 is in Phase 2 of Execution, which will extend from March 9 to 20. Phase 3 of the exercise begins on March 20, from which date the redeployment of personnel and assets will begin.
The missions that will be carried out throughout the exercise cover the entire spectrum of air operations, from offensive and defensive air actions, to activities in the maritime environment, combat search and rescue, reconnaissance, among others. For the execution of INIOCHOS, the Hellenic Air Force will also rely on the support of the Army and the Navy in order to provide a realistic and challenging scenario for the participants.
Two historic aircraft: F-4E Phantom II and Mirage 2000D
The Hellenic Air Force is one of the last users of the “fabulous” Phantom, after more than 50 years of service. Its presence at INIOCHOS 2026 marks quite a milestone for the veteran twin-engine aircraft manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, not only for its capabilities but also for everything the F-4E represents in the history of aviation.
The Greek Air Force incorporated its first F-4E Phantom II in the mid-1970s, eventually operating around 65 aircraft, including 36 new jets corresponding to the Peace Icarus I program and additional second-hand units. Over the years, and with the intention of extending the service life of its Phantom II fleet, Greece embarked on the Peace Icarus 2000 project, an initiative that applied the experiences of the Improved Combat Efficiency program developed by the Luftwaffe for its F-4F Phantom.
In 1997, Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA) and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry reached an agreement worth USD 317 million for the upgrade of 36 Greek Phantom II aircraft. The modifications included a new AN/APG-65 radar, navigation subsystems, Have Quick II communications, identification friend-or-foe systems, MIL-STD-1553B data bus, cockpit modernization, among others.
Regarding armament, the Hellenic Phantom II gained the capability to launch the AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missile, new variants of the AIM-9 Sidewinder, and the AGM-65G Maverick air-to-surface missile. Some years after the implementation of the Peace Icarus 2000 program, the AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening electro-optical system was integrated into the Greek F-4E, as well as the capability to operate GBU-16/24 Paveway III guided bombs and the AGM-130 air-to-surface missile. The old warrior had sharpened its claws once again.
For its part, France is present at INIOCHOS 2026 with its Mirage 2000D in the RMV variant. This is the latest evolution of the veteran delta-wing fighter-bomber, conceived to extend the aircraft’s service life and provide capabilities in line with current requirements.
For the Rénovation Mi-Vie (Mid-Life Renovation) of the Mirage 2000D, the French Air and Space Force selected those airframes with the potential for a service life extension. The initiative also included upgrades to avionics and weapons, as well as the integration of new targeting systems, notably the testing and evaluation of the TALIOS pods, which replace the DAMOCLES pods.
Among the new capabilities of the Mirage 2000D RMV are the installation of DEFA CC422 30 mm cannons, integration of the MICA IR air-to-air missiles, and laser-guided bombs GBU-48 and GBU-50. With the program completed, it is expected that the Mirage 2000D RMV will be able to operate until 2035, by which time its replacement with additional Rafale aircraft and combat drones will have materialized.
*Cover image: État-major des armées
*Translated by Constanza Matteo
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