Greek officials say UAE warplanes to arrive for joint drills

Greek officials say UAE warplanes to arrive for joint drills

The United Arab Emirates is sending warplanes to the southern Greek island of Crete for joint training with Greece's air force, officials in Athens said Friday as military tensions continued to simmer between Greece and neighboring Turkey over offshore energy rights.

The officials said between two and four UAE fighters were expected to reach Souda Naval Base during the weekend and would hold joint training and exercises with the Hellenic Air Force next week. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the matter with journalists.

The move follows talks between senior Greek and UAE military and government officials.

The United Arab Emirates is a bitter rival of Turkey, Greece's historic regional rival, in a broader struggle over political Islam, while Dubai