Greek Defense Minister Dendias praises Turkish Defense Industry: “Türkiye is not a rival, but an example”
Speaking at the 6th OT Forum in Athens, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias openly acknowledged the rapid rise of Türkiye’s defense industry, describing it as an example from which Greece can learn.
“Türkiye, with its strong domestic production capacity and multi-billion-dollar export capability, is far ahead. We don’t have to become Türkiye, but we must learn from them and chart our own course,” said Dendias.
During the same forum, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis emphasized the strategic importance of the 3+1 energy cooperation format — involving Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the United States — while acknowledging that Türkiye’s influence in the Eastern Mediterranean is an undeniable reality.
Referring to the EU’s SAFE defense program, Dendias noted:
“We do not view Türkiye as a threat. However, European defense is built on shared values.”
He also stressed the need for Greece to reduce its dependence on foreign defense imports, adding:
“We can’t always turn to foreign shelves. We must strengthen our own production, both in quantity and quality.”
Defense analysts interpret Dendias’s remarks as a sign of a shifting perspective in Athens, suggesting that Türkiye’s defense achievements are now seen less as competition and more as a model to emulate.
