MİLLİYET.COM.TR / While Türkiye is increasing its capacity in a wide range of areas, from air defense to unmanned aerial vehicles, with the systems developed in the domestic defense industry, the step to strengthen the defense dialogue with France also resonated in Greece.
Athens-based Pentapostagma examined the defense cooperation road map signed between the two countries and discussed the effects of possible new projects on Türkiye's military capacity and regional balances.
'THE BACK DOOR HAS OPENED'
The Greek publication announced the development with the title "The back door has been opened." Highlighting the SAMP/T air defense system and METEOR missiles, Pentapostagma argued that the new communication channel established between Ankara and Paris could pave the way for more comprehensive defense projects in the future.
'IT ADDS STRENGTH TO THE POWER OF THE STEEL DOME'
The news said, "Türkiye's goal of creating a domestic and multi-layered architecture in air defense is one of the most important dimensions of development. Aiming for the integrated operation of different air defense elements with the Steel Dome project, Ankara continues its work on domestic production and technology development in the defense industry. It adds strength to the power of the Steel Dome."
Pentapostagma also included Türkiye's goals in this field on its agenda. The Greek publication suggested that Ankara may be interested in advanced air defense solutions that can counter more complex missile threats and work with NATO systems.
The news focused especially on the SAMP/T NG system. The fact that the system developed by France and Italy came to the agenda within the scope of a possible cooperation with Türkiye was closely examined by the Greek publication.
According to Pentapostagma's assessment, the real issue is not just purchasing an air defense system; technology acquisition, industry participation and integration of the system into Türkiye's own defense architecture. The publication linked this approach with the defense industry policy that Ankara has been pursuing for a long time.
'THE REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION'
One of the most striking statements in the Greek publication was regarding the conditions of possible SAMP/T cooperation. Pentapostagma evaluated, "The most important question is not whether Türkiye will purchase air defense systems from Europe, but under what conditions."
The news suggested that if a possible agreement includes the participation of the Turkish defense industry in the project, integration into the Steel Dome and information transfer, its importance may be greater than the number of systems to be delivered.
The news said, "It is pointed out that Türkiye's cooperation in the field of defense can focus not only on the supply of ready-made systems, but also on the development of domestic industry and technology acquisition."
'METEOR IMPACT'
Another headline that Pentapostagma drew attention to was the long-range air-to-air missile METEOR. The Greek publication evaluated the possibility of these missiles entering Türkiye's inventory in terms of Greece's air power.
The news claimed that if METEOR missiles were integrated into the Turkish Air Force, Turkey, which has air superiority in the region, would become even stronger and would be a "big blow" to Greece's defense.
'DEFENSE CHANNEL IS OPENING AGAIN'
The possibility of the French defense industry developing its relations with Türkiye was discussed as a separate heading in the news. He wrote that companies such as Pentapostagma, Thales, MBDA and Eurosam could play a role in possible projects in the fields of radar, missile, command-control and system integration.
The news also included the strategic partnership agreement signed between Safran and Baykar in May. Pentapostagma described this partnership as “not a typical buyer-seller relationship, but a joint development project.”
'WE CANNOT ESCAPE FROM THE TRUTH'
Finally, Pentapostagma pointed out that there is a fact that cannot be ignored in his assessment of Türkiye's defense capacity and said, "Turkey does not have to present itself as strong because they are already strong, it is not possible for them to be as weak as we want them to be under the current conditions. We cannot escape this fact."
WHAT HAPPENED?
