Greece and France have launched Exercise ARGO 25, a large-scale joint air-naval drill in the Pagasetic Gulf on Greece’s east coast, the two governments said on 9 July. The operation brings together marines, warships, helicopters and fighter aircraft from both countries in what officials describe as the most extensive bilateral training activity currently under way in the Aegean. The French Navy’s helicopter carrier Dixmude (L9015) is acting as a floating command post, supported by a French frigate, a Greek frigate and a Greek Navy landing ship. Greek marines of the 32nd Brigade and their French counterparts are rehearsing complex amphibious landings with close air support from Greek Apache and Chinook helicopters, French Gazelle helicopters and Hellenic Air Force fighters. The scenarios incorporate lessons from recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to simulate modern threat environments. ARGO 25 takes place as instability in the eastern Mediterranean intensifies, with renewed tensions in Libya and rising migrant flows toward Greek islands. The exercise also follows France’s recent assumption of NATO’s Mediterranean naval command (CTF MED), underscoring Paris and Athens’ commitment to collective deterrence and maritime security in the region.