Amid escalating tension with Turkey, Greece reinforces its army with French fighters and frigates

In the midst of the tension in the eastern Mediterranean region, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced, Saturday, that his country will strengthen its armed forces by purchasing 18 fighters and 4 frigates from France

12 September, 2020 17:38

NEWS DESK

The Greek Prime Minister explained that the most advanced "Rafale" fighters manufactured by the French company Dassault, pointing out that Greece will use about 15,000 army personnel during the next five years.

Mitsotakis said that Greece would also "strengthen" its defense capabilities with new weapons, torpedoes and missiles, as well as modernize the defense industry that incurred losses, according to Reuters.

For its part, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, said that Greece "has expressed its desire to acquire 18 Rafale fighters. This is excellent news for the French aviation industry."

She added, "It is the first time a European country wants to acquire Rafale fighter jets. As a result of the export policy that I have been pursuing with conviction since 2017."

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