Senior Greek officials have expressed concern over Turkey’s military agreements with Germany, including the purchase of submarines.
According to Fars news agency, Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulosden called on his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to suspend the sale of submarines to Turkey.
However, the German defense minister rejected her Greek counterpart’s demand, saying that the construction and sale of 6 Model 214 submarines to Turkey will not be stopped or even delayed, as the German company ThyssenKrupp is obliged to implement the contracts signed in 2002.
While Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is concerned about Turkey’s growing military power, he is trying to make his country’s armed forces stronger through a series of agreements with Germany, including the submarine and tank fleets.
Greece, Cyprus and France have called on Germany to suspend arms exports to Turkey as long as Turkey is in conflict with Greece and does not stop exploration in the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus.
Germany has so far resisted the demands.
Greece plans to hire 15,000 troops over the next four years, buy new fighter jets and upgrade its F-16 combat fleet.
Greece also signed a $1.68 billion contract with Israel in February 2021 for required flight training.
by Xavier Cuesta – European Correspondent – EuroNews