A quiet day at the beach turned into something quite different for tourists near Chania on Friday. Helicopters and fighter jets appeared overhead, military boats approached the shore and special forces came in from the sea, as one of the most spectacular parts of the MEDUSA 15-2026 military exercise unfolded just off the coast.

There was no emergency. The operation near Maleme, west of Chania, was part of a planned multinational exercise taking place around Crete on Friday, 18 September.

Military exercise plays out in front of beachgoers

For around an hour, part of the coastline was secured by Greek military police, keeping tourists at a safe distance while the exercise was under way. From the beach, however, there was plenty to see. Fast military boats came in from the sea carrying marines and special forces, while helicopters and aircraft flew overhead. Drones were also used, along with simulated gunfire and coloured smoke.

What made the scene particularly unusual was the contrast with an otherwise normal day at the beach. Some people continued swimming and sunbathing, while others gathered at the water’s edge and pulled out their phones to film what was happening. The Associated Press spoke to a British tourist who knew an exercise was planned but said she had not expected it to be on such a scale.

A Polish tourist who happened to be there also told AP that he had never seen anything like it before and felt lucky to have witnessed it during his holiday.

So, what exactly is MEDUSA?

MEDUSA is a regular multinational military exercise led primarily by Greece and Egypt. This year’s edition, MEDUSA 15-2026, began on 10 September. Forces from Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, France and Italy are taking part, while countries including Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Mozambique have sent observers.

The exercise is being held in and around Crete and includes naval and air operations as well as training involving special forces, paratroopers and air-defence units. Egypt has also sent the Gamal Abdel Nasser, a large amphibious assault ship capable of carrying helicopters, troops and military vehicles.

Cyprus is taking part as well

Cyprus is one of the five countries actively involved in this year’s MEDUSA exercise. The first phase began on 10 September in waters southeast of Crete, with warships and military aircraft taking part. Some of the activity has been carried out in an area of the southeastern Cretan Sea reserved by Greece through a NAVTEX notice.

Cyprus has participated in MEDUSA exercises before. The drills form part of wider defence and security cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Egypt in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Drones, amphibious landings and security at sea

MEDUSA 15-2026 is not limited to traditional naval exercises. This year’s scenarios include amphibious operations, anti-submarine warfare, special forces missions and responses to newer security threats.

There is also a strong focus on drones, including small FPV drones and simulated drone-swarm attacks. Another part of the training involves protecting critical maritime and energy infrastructure.

Not quite the beach day they were expecting

For the armed forces involved, Friday’s operation was another stage of a major international training exercise. For tourists in Maleme, it was a rather more memorable addition to their holiday.

One minute they were looking out over the Cretan Sea; the next, helicopters were passing overhead, military boats were racing towards the coast and soldiers were coming ashore. Definitely not something you normally expect to see from your sunbed in Crete.