Chinese nationals detained near Tanagra air base, Greece

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Date: 10 July 2025

Rafale Fighter Jet - Hellenic Air Force

Incident summary

On 9 July 2025, four Chinese nationals were detained by Greek authorities after being caught photographing military infrastructure near Tanagra Air Base in central Greece. The individuals; two men, one woman, and a younger male, were seen documenting Rafale fighter jets of the 114th Combat Wing and facilities of the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI).

Despite warnings from HAI security personnel, the group reportedly moved to a nearby bridge and continued photographing sensitive military assets. They also attempted to upload the images to secure folders. They were subsequently intercepted by the Air Force Police and transferred to the local police station.

Strategic context

Tanagra Air Base is home to Greece’s advanced Rafale fleet, central to Hellenic Air Force modernization and deterrence strategy. The adjacent Hellenic Aerospace Industry is involved in defense manufacturing, MRO, and co-development of sensitive technologies. Both facilities are strategic targets for foreign intelligence gathering.

This incident comes amid:

• Heightened NATO–China tensions over dual-use technologies

• Growing concerns across Europe about Chinese espionage and intelligence-gathering near military or critical infrastructure

• Greece’s expanding defense cooperation with France and Israel, and its participation in NATO missions

Key intelligence points

• Photographic evidence: Authorities seized a significant volume of photo material from the suspects. Evaluation is ongoing.

• Cover story unknown: No information released about whether the individuals posed as tourists, researchers, or operated under diplomatic cover.

• Motives under investigation: While espionage has not officially been confirmed, Greek counterintelligence units have launched a full review.

• Location of interest: Suspects were observed photographing military aircraft, HAI facilities, and access routes around the base.

• PRC Connection Not Ruled Out: No formal link to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) has been disclosed, but the pattern matches known PRC intelligence activity elsewhere in Europe.

Implications for Europe & NATO

• Growing concern over non-traditional intelligence collection tactics used by foreign nationals in open-source environments.

• Potential use of civilian travelers, students, or businesspeople for intelligence-gathering roles.

• Risk to countries with understaffed or underprepared base security in peacetime locations.

Dyami risk insights

For Aerospace, Defence & Critical Infrastructure Operators:

• Ensure awareness training for employees and subcontractors on suspicious behavior near facilities

• Conduct regular physical and technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM)

• Tighten access control policies, including signage, patrols, and monitoring of public vantage points

• Consider periodic red teaming or scenario-based exercises involving foreign nationals posing as civilians

Dyami Services

Dyami offers specialized support for:

• Counter-Espionage Awareness Training

• Facility Threat Assessments

• Security Intelligence Subscriptions tailored to Defence & Aerospace

• Red Team / Insider Threat Simulations

• Crisis & Media Response Planning

  
  
  
  

  Contact us for tailored briefings or support:info@dyami.services | www.dyami.services

“The lines between tourism, business travel, and intelligence collection are increasingly blurred. Organizations must treat ‘benign’ behavior near sensitive facilities with a new level of strategic vigilance.” - Eric Schouten, CEO, Dyami Security Intelligence