October 10, 2026

Athens News

News in English from Greece

F-16 pilots in Cyprus left without salary: “Unified Defense Doctrine” with empty pockets


Pilots and technicians Hellenic Air Forcewho participated in the mission F-16 on Cyprusstill have not received the due payments.

Pilots and technical personnel of the Hellenic Air Forceinvolved in the transport and support mission F-16 on Cyprusare still left without due payments. Against the backdrop of loud government announcements about the revival “Unified Defense Doctrine” In Greece and Cyprus, the situation looks not just like a bureaucratic delay, but a direct humiliation of the people on whom this doctrine rests in practice.

Bye government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis publicly celebrates the presence of Greeks F-16 on Cyprusmilitary personnel Hellenic Air Forcewho actually bore the brunt of this mission, according to sources, remain without legal compensation and stipulated allowances.

We are not talking about individual cases. According to reports, entire groups pilots And technical specialistsaimed at Cyprus to support Greek fighters, have still not received the payments due to them for performing official tasks outside the main base.

The problem is systemic and concerns delays in payments to those who supported the mission on the ground and in the air. In other words, “Unified Defense Doctrine” in words there is, but for some reason the money for the people who carry it out is lost somewhere again.

Mitsotakis government has been presenting for several months now “Unified Defense Doctrine” Greece And Cyprus as a major national success. However, in practice, those who implemented this policy faced a much more humiliating reality: the state left them without payment.

This is not just an administrative delay. This is an insult to military personnel Armed Forces.

For government “national defense”seems to be useful primarily for photographs, statements and television appearances. But when the time comes to pay those who actually serve this defense, it suddenly turns out that there is no money.

While ministers go on television and talk about “historical moments” And “power of deterrence”, pilots And technical staffwho flew, served and supported F-16 on Cyprusare forced to ask a simple question: when will they get what they are entitled to by law?

Loud words, photographs, communication shows – it’s all there. But when it comes to substance and respect for the people who carry out government decisions, the answer is silence and indifference.

The Greek Air Force is not a decorative element for propaganda. These are people who sacrifice time, family and safety every day to serve their country. And this is how the state thanks them.



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