Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Greece will continue to expand its defense capabilities

·

Greece has vowed to expand military cooperation with traditional NATO allies as well as Middle Eastern powers in a race to modernize its armed forces and face its militarily assertive neighbor Turkey.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited an air base in southern Greece to attend multinational military exercises joined by fighter jets from the United States, France, Israel, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.

“We cannot be naive. We are facing a new set of threats,” Mitsotakis said, speaking in a hangar in front of aircraft taking part in the exercises. “Our world is extremely complex and our neighborhood is, unfortunately, becoming more unstable. Greece will continue to strengthen its defense capabilities and upgrade its armed forces.”

Greece spends more on defense than any other European Union country relative to the size of its economy. But it announced a major rearmament program last year following a naval standoff with Turkey over natural gas drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

Under pressure from NATO allies, Greece and Turkey resumed diplomatic talks in January to try and ease the tension. Athens, however, is pressing ahead with an accelerated military upgrade program worth 11.5 billion euros over five years.

Greek officials at the weekend signed agreements worth $1.65 billion with Israel’s military and defense contractor Elbit Systems to create a new flight academy near the southern Greek city of Kalamata.

The air force has already begun overhauling its fleet of US-made F-16 fighters and has placed a 2.3 billion-euro order to buy 18 French-made Rafale fighter jets, some currently in service with the France’s military, along with an upgrade of compatible missiles.

*With information from Kathimerini, AMNA, AP

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Experts share how travel to Greek islands will be impacted by seismic activity

As a swarm of earthquakes continues to rattle the Aegean Sea, the Greek government has declared a state of emergency on four islands.

Tzannes to design $500 million luxury apartment tower in Edgecliff

Lendlease has revealed its plans for its first luxury apartment tower, a $500 million One Darling Point project in Edgecliff.

St George Basketball and Apollon Patras (Greece) announce sister club collaboration

The St. George Basketball Association has announced a groundbreaking sister club partnership with Apollon Patras Sports Club from Greece.

MANASIS to bring Greek culture back to Moomba Parade after 30 years

On March 10, the MANASIS School of Greek Dance will create another milestone in its history, through participating in Moomba Festival Parade.

Jayden Spakianos sentenced for stabbing commuter in drug-induced attack

A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to up to five years in prison for stabbing an innocent commuter during a drug-induced paranoid episode.

You May Also Like

Opinion: Moria Camp, Europe’s Catch-22

Moria has been burnt to the ground and it is evident that no winners emerge from the ashes.

Oakleigh unites to celebrate Greek Independence Day with dances and live music

The inaugural Greek Independence Day Festival in Oakleigh brought Greeks of all different ages together on Saturday.

Drug cartels use mini whale submarines to smuggle cocaine into Australia via Cyprus

International drug traffickers are reportedly using sophisticated, whale-shaped submarines to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia.