Turkey-Greece tension: Athens options revealed
While the Turkey-Greece crisis deepened day by day with the harsh statements of the parties, a remarkable news came from the Greek media.
Ta Nea, one of the most widely read newspapers in Greece, has collected warplanes, warships and other defense industry vehicles that the Athens administration can buy against Turkey. While the tension between the two countries is expected to continue until elections scheduled for next year in both countries, it was noted that Greece made many defense industry equipment deals in 2021 and made diplomatic moves.
It was also emphasized that Greece dedicated 2021 to the purchase of new combat vehicles, especially after the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean in 2020.
With the agreement signed between the Greek Prime Minister, Kiriakos Mitsotakis, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, it was noted that the cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries in the fields of defense and security had been developed, and it was stated that the purchase of 3 frigates Belharra is of critical importance.
FRANCE AND GERMANY
Recalling that Greece bought 24 Rafale fighter jets from France, it was also stated that this purchase is expected to continue. Military sources who spoke to the Greek media also suggested that Ankara is uncomfortable with this situation and that Paris is not satisfied with Greece providing advanced technology along with weapons and ammunition.
It was also stated in the news that Mitsotakis insists on cooperation with European countries, and the purchase of German-made MEKO-type frigates is on the agenda, as well as German-made Marder armored vehicles. It was also stated that Greece attaches great importance to the navy and the purchase of a new corvette-type warship is also on the agenda.
ISRAEL AND UNITED STATES
While it was stated that Greece has recently increased its strategic partnership with Israel, it was announced that the purchase of the Spike NLOS anti-tank missile system was approved and an agreement was reached for the purchase of two Israeli-made Heron unmanned aerial vehicles, and this agreement could be extended. It was also reported that Athens is in communication with Israel to purchase more UAVs and anti-SUVs from Israel.
In Ta Nea’s news, “Although Athens turns to Europe for weapons, relations between Greece and the United States are much stronger than before. This is also expressed by government officials, State Department officials and Americans. “The most popular demand in Athens is to buy the F-35,” he said. In addition to the F-35s, it was reported that the renewal of 83 F-16s is also on the agenda.