Paris and Athens have been linked by a defense agreement since 2021. According to Greece, the potential sale of Meteor missiles in Turkey does not respect their partnership.
The Greek Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, asked for explanations from the French ambassador, Laurence Auer, as for the project to sell missiles in Turkey which would have been announced by a French consortium.
Greece and France held by a defense agreement
In a shared message on X, the political leader asked “An official update on the sale of Meteor missiles to Turkey by a consortium in which France participates”, adding that this agreement would go against “Excellent strategic relationships” Between the two countries.
For his part, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said “have no information “ Regarding the potential sale of missiles in Turkey, during an interview on Alpha TV on Wednesday evening.
In September 2021, France and Greece have signed the defense agreementwhich includes a mutual defense clause in case one of the parties is attacked by a third country. The text also advises the two countries to consult on decisions affecting their security interests “As far as possible”.
Since January 2021, Greece has bought a total of 24 Rafale reaction planes produced by the French company Dassault Aviation and has received French frigates.
The development of Meteor missiles, led by the French manufacturer MBDA
The Meteor missile program has been developed by a consortium of European partners led by the French manufacturer MBDA. This military initiative was created to meet the needs of six European nations: the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden.
According to the Mbda website, the Meteor has a “Statoreactor” which allows him to “Put to the interception of the target”. It thus offers the “The largest exclusion zone of any air-to-air missile system, several times that of the current air-to-air missiles, with a” fragmentation warhead (which) ensures maximum lethality “.
Tense relations between Greece and Turkey
Greece and Turkey may be NATO allies, they have a long history of tensions and outbreaks, and the potential sale of Meteor missiles in Turkey could arouse concern about a change in the regional military balance .
During a meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis last May, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said there was “No insoluble problems” with Greece.
In a speech delivered in mid-December, the Greek Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, however announced that Turkey “Gradually expanded his list of requirements against our homeland “. “”If dialogue with Turkey is necessary, it implies the rejection of the unacceptable aspects of Turkish positions, as the threat of casus belli “he said.