MİLLİYET.COM.TR / A remarkable analysis regarding Turkey was published in Greece. According to the evaluation in the Greek publication SL Press, it was stated that Athens was making comprehensive preparations to completely transform its army, from air power to navy, from missile defense to unmanned aerial vehicles, and it was claimed that a possible tension scenario with Turkey was at the center of this move.
According to the analysis, Turkey's technological advances in the defense industry in recent years and its military capacity extending to different areas stand out as an important factor in Greece's future plans.
Expanding its domestic and national production capacity, from UAVs and UCAVs to warships, from aircraft to missile systems, Ankara has reduced its foreign dependency in the field of defense and increased its military weight in the region.
In the analysis, it was stated that "Future calculations are being made from the beginning in Greece. In addition to strengthening the existing weapon systems, the Athens administration is trying to create a new and integrated army structure that will keep up with the technological transformation on the battlefield."
However, a remarkable question was asked in the analysis: "When will we confront Turkey?"
According to the plan published in the Greek press, a comprehensive and functional change will be made in the structure of the Armed Forces under the leadership of Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias.
The plan aims to consolidate or abolish 132 military camps, establish a single anti-aircraft and anti-UAV center, and create interdisciplinary units specialized in cyberspace, space applications and informatics. It is also planned to reorganize the duty, reserve and salary systems of officers.
In the analysis, it was emphasized that Athens' goal was not only to have more weapons, but also to establish a more flexible, technological and coordinated military structure.
The fact that this transformation was planned in a period when the importance of UAVs and unmanned systems on the battlefield is increasing is also considered as a remarkable element in the Greek publication. The wide platform family and operational experience that Turkey has developed in this field are shown as one of the prominent elements of Ankara's regional military capacity.
This is where the history that drew attention to the analysis in the Greek press emerges. According to the evaluation, a significant part of the defense reforms is planned to be completed by 2030. It is argued that Greece will feel safer from this date and its deterrence will be significantly strengthened.
Details of the second phase of the New Force Structure and the Long-Term Armament Program covering the period 2027-2037 are expected to be announced in September. The analysis states that while preparing this plan, modern technological developments and the experiences gained from UAV conflicts that have recently become prominent on the battlefield will also be taken into account.
While it was noted in the analysis that Athens also attaches importance to air power, it was stated that F-35 Lightning II warplanes are preparing to join the inventory and the delivery of the first 20 F-35s is expected to start in 2028, and the option for another 20 aircraft is expected to be used.
"In the face of Athens, which aims to increase its air superiority and deterrence with these investments, Turkey is diversifying its air power not only with imported platforms but also with its ever-growing domestic defense industry. Turkey's domestic platform development capacity, ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles to warplanes, is among the factors that change the calculations regarding the air power balance in the region for Greece."
According to the analysis, Athens' preparation is not limited to the sky. Kimon, the first of the Belharra class frigates, joined the Greek Navy in early 2026. The second ship, Nearchos, is expected to be delivered on October 30, 2026, and the third ship is expected to be delivered at the end of the year, while the fourth ship is planned to be built in Greece.
In the evaluation, the following statements were made: "The increase in Turkey's capacity to develop and produce its own warships, which maintains its influence in the seas in the face of this comprehensive renewal in its naval power, should also be taken into account. Turkey, which has improved its warship design and production capability with domestic projects such as MİLGEM, is also expanding the operational capacity of its navy with naval platforms of different classes."
