The Israeli press brought up Greece's plan to increase defense expenditures. Tel Aviv-based Maariv newspaper evaluated Athens' arms deal with the USA, which reached 4 billion dollars, through the shadow of the tensions with Türkiye. The newspaper interpreted Greece's defense investments as "a 4 billion dollar message to Ankara".
4 BILLION DOLLAR ARMS DEAL FROM GREECE
According to Maariv's news titled "Greece opened its mouth", Athens signed an arms deal with the USA worth 4 billion dollars to strengthen its defense capacity. The agreement includes the modernization of F-16 warplanes and the purchase of advanced missiles and bombs.
The agreement, which came to the agenda after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Athens, is a part of Greece's long-term armament plan.
The news said, "Athens' plans include not only the purchase of new weapons, but also a comprehensive military structure in which systems supplied from different countries will be used together."
MORE THAN 100 F-16 VIPER TARGETS
According to Maariv, Greece is upgrading approximately 82 F-16 fighter jets to the Viper configuration. Athens also plans to modernize 37 more Block 50 fighter jets. The cost of this program is expected to be approximately $1 billion.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced that his country will have more than 100 F-16 Viper fighter jets after the modernization works are completed.
Greece also reached an agreement to purchase 20 US-made F-35 fighter jets and 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters in 2024. It is planned to supply advanced missiles and bombs with the new weapons package.
IT WILL SPEND 28 BILLION EUROS BY 2036
According to Maariv, Greece aims to invest approximately 28 billion euros in defense by 2036. Within the scope of the program, it is planned to renew warplanes, helicopters and air defense systems.
One of the important parts of this plan is the multi-layered air and missile defense system called "Achilles Shield". The project aims to increase defense capacity against unmanned aerial vehicles, warplanes and ballistic missiles.
ISRAELI WEAPONS ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PLAN
Maariv stated that Israeli-made weapons and defense systems are also included in Greece's plans. According to the news, Athens aims to use the military technologies it will procure from the USA, France and Israel within a common defense structure.
DRAW ATTENTION TO Türkiye'S DEFENSE INDUSTRY
Maariv evaluated Greece's armament plan together with the developments in Türkiye's defense industry. The news stated that Türkiye not only purchases new military platforms, but also develops domestic technologies and offers defense products to international markets.
Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI unmanned aerial vehicles, HİSAR and SİPER air defense systems, KAAN national combat aircraft program and KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft were listed among Türkiye's defense projects.
“TURKS CONTINUE WITHOUT SLOWING”
Maariv emphasized that modern military power cannot be measured only by the number of warplanes and other weapons. It was also stated in the news that it is important for radars, electronic systems, ammunition and air defense elements to work together.
The newspaper noted that the military capacities of Türkiye and Greece should be evaluated under headings such as current inventory, modernization, ammunition, air defense and domestic production.
Maariv evaluated Türkiye's development in the defense industry with the following statements:
