Mitsotakis says Greece will use its air power edge
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece's upgraded F-16s, Rafale fighter jets and planned F-35 fleet provide the country with a significant military advantage that Athens cannot afford to leave unused.
Speaking at a press conference during the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, Mitsotakis said Greece had strengthened its air power while adapting its defense strategy to new security challenges.
“Today, Greece has managed to upgrade its F-16s, acquire Rafales, and is now receiving F-35s,” Mitsotakis said, describing the resulting capability as a significant advantage and, in his words, “superiority.”
Defense spending reaches 3.5% of gdp
Mitsotakis said Greece is among five NATO members that have reached the alliance's target of spending 3.5% of GDP on defense.
He said higher defense spending reflects Greece's security environment and the need to maintain a strong deterrent capability.
Greece is upgrading 84 F-16s to the F-16V Viper standard. The program includes advanced avionics, an AESA radar, upgraded mission computers and improved data-link systems. As of Sept. 5, Greece had received 59 upgraded aircraft.
Athens has also acquired 24 French Rafale fighter jets and Meteor air-to-air missiles. In 2024, Greece signed an agreement to purchase 20 F-35A fighters from the United States, with an option for another 20.
The first Greek F-35s are expected to arrive toward the end of 2028, with pilot training planned before delivery.
Athens downplays Turkish f-35 prospects
Asked about the possibility of Türkiye acquiring F-35 fighter jets, Mitsotakis said Greece has no role in determining U.S. arms sales.
However, he said there are currently major legal obstacles to Ankara's return to the F-35 program.
Mitsotakis also described Greece's “Achilles' Shield” air defense initiative as a defensive network designed to protect the country against existing and future threats.
Greece maintains 12-mile territorial waters right
Mitsotakis reaffirmed Greece's position that it has an “inalienable right” to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles whenever it considers the timing appropriate.
He said Athens and Ankara continue to have open channels of communication under the Athens Declaration, despite disagreements over maritime issues in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece's main dispute with Türkiye, Mitsotakis said, concerns the delimitation of maritime zones.
He rejected what he described as issues raised by Türkiye that Greece considers “non-issues” and said Athens would continue to exercise its sovereign rights through initiatives including maritime planning, marine parks and energy exploration.
Athens stresses wider regional ties
Mitsotakis said Greek foreign policy should not be viewed solely through relations with Türkiye, pointing to what he described as a broad network of partnerships across North Africa and the Middle East.
He cited Greece's relations with Lebanon and Jordan and said strategic ties with Gulf countries remained strong.
The prime minister also announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia, saying the trip would reaffirm Greece's relations with the kingdom.
Source:turkiyetoday
