Greece’s Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said on Thursday that the country will start negotiations to buy a fourth Belharra frigate from France to strengthen its navy.
According to Ekathimerini, Greece agreed in 2021 to get three new Belharra frigates for $3.34 billion, with an option for one more.
Dendias confirmed the news while speaking at a launch ceremony for the second French frigate. He added that three of the four Belharra will be able to carry “Scalp Naval” cruise missiles with a range of up to 1,000 kilometres.
Athens has drawn up a multi-billion, 10-year purchasing plan that includes acquiring up to 40 new F-35 fighter jets from the United States and also Rafale jets from France.
On Wednesday, officials told Reuters Greece also planned to buy Switchblade drones from the US, a type of weapon complement to the Spike anti-tank missiles Athens plans to send to its islands in the Aegean Sea.
“They will contribute to the creation of a rocket wall in the Aegean,” Dendias said.
Source: Ekathimerini.
