New frigates, fighter jets, drones and missiles, these are the latest weaponry the Greek military is facing in the largest procurement program in its history. Over the next ten years, the NATO country plans to spend 53 billion euros on the modernization of its armed forces. This corresponds to 23 percent of this year's gross domestic product, German and Greek media point out.
With new weapon systems and structural reform, the army must become "smarter and more powerful", Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said during a meeting with military structures. The program will take the Greek armed forces "into a new era," he promises. An important project is the construction of an "Iron Dome": Greece wants to protect itself from enemy missiles and drones with a defensive shield based on the Israeli model, Dendias said, writes A2 CNN.
Military experts estimate that this system alone will cost around two billion euros. According to internal sources, cited by German media, Athens is already in advanced negotiations with Israeli manufacturers.
The planned missile and drone defense is primarily aimed at the perceived threat from NATO partner Turkey, which is questioning Greece's sovereignty over islands such as Rhodes, Kos, Lesvos and Chios. Turkish head of state Recep Tayyip Erdogan even threatened to launch missiles at the Greek capital Athens. Turkish threats of war have existed since 1995, A2 CNN reports.
During the budget debate, Defense Minister Dendias justified the high expenses. Since the time of the financial crisis, Greece has an arms gap of 20 billion euros, which must be closed in the coming years. Defense equipment already ordered alone will cost 12.8 billion euros by 2030. These include, among others, frigates of the French Belharra type and Stealth F-35 aircraft from the American manufacturer Lockheed Martin, drones, attack helicopters and air defense systems . (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
