Greece warns Turkey, upgrades its military capabilities

By Al-Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies & Al-Mayadeen
13 Sep 12:09

Military tensions are on the rise between NATO members.

Turkish Commandos forces during a drill (Turkish National Defense Ministry)

During a Sunday press conference, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis accused Turkey of fuelling tensions with Greece, labeling recent statements made by the Turkish president regarding Greece's sovereignty over islands in the Aegean sea as "unacceptable" and provocative actions by Turkish politicians as "extremely problematic".

“Turkey is provoking tension and portraying Greece as an alleged aggressor,” PM Mitsotakis stated, adding that “there is no one abroad who believes that the Greek islands are a threat to Turkey.”

Earlier this month, Turkish President Erdogan accused Greece of occupying islands in the Aegean sea and announced that Turkey is ready to do whatever is necessary at the right time.

“I find the recent statements of the Turkish president unacceptable,” Mitsotakis said, warning that “the constant provocation” by Turkish politicians “is extremely problematic.”

The tension between Greece and Turkey continues to rise as Greece received the first 2 upgraded F-16s out of a total of 83 jets to be equipped with advanced electronics, radars, and weapons under a $1.5 billion program to modernize the Greek air fleet by 2027 in cooperation between Hellenic Aerospace Industry and US manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

Timely completion of the program “is an issue of the highest national importance,” said the head of Greece’s joint chiefs of staff.

Earlier this month, Turkish President Erdogan accused Greece of plans to destabilize the region, following a report that on August 23 Greece's S-300 locked on Turkish F-16 jets flying west of Rhodes, at 10,000 feet, according to Turkish Defense Ministry sources.