Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced arms deals with France to develop his country's army, and said they include the purchase of 18 Dassault Rafale planes and 4 naval frigates.
In a speech in the northern city of Thessaloniki, the Prime Minister said, "It is time to reinforce the armed forces. These initiatives constitute a strong program that will turn into a national shield."
Mitsotakis explained that Greece will receive 18 French Rafale planes, 4 multi-mission frigates and 4 helicopters, in addition to recruiting 15,000 soldiers, injecting funding into the national arms industry and defense against Siberian attacks.
He added that his country would also enhance its defense capabilities with new weapons, torpedoes and missiles, as well as modernize the defense industry, which suffered losses, noting that Athens is holding more talks with its allies in order to strengthen its armed forces.
A government source stated that more details about the cost of the program and the arms purchases will be announced at a press conference on Sunday.
For its part, the French Ministry of Defense welcomed Greece's decision to acquire the Rafale fighters, and expressed its hope to sign a contract to purchase these aircraft in the coming months.
Greece and Cyprus entered into a dispute with Turkey for weeks over areas in the eastern Mediterranean, and the two member states of the European Union and Ankara claim their right to explore and explore for gas.
The confrontation in the Mediterranean saw Turkey send research ships to the disputed waters, and European Union allies send ships to the region, and Ankara and Athens carry out military exercises.