Turkish Navy Project Raises Concerns in Athens
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World
January 9, 2025 06:30
athens, greece - The Turkish Naval Forces' domestic production-based large armament programs have spurred the Greek Naval Forces into action. A 12-year armament program including the purchase of new warships and the modernization of existing warships until 2037 has been prepared.
The Turkish Naval Forces' domestic production-based large armament programs have caused a stir in the Greek Naval Forces, leading to the initiation of a 12-year armament program until 2037, which includes the purchase of new warships and the modernization of existing ones.
Some of the main goals outlined in the Greek Naval Forces' prepared program are as follows:
- Increasing the number of Belharra class frigates ordered from France to 4 from 3, with negotiations initiated for the fourth ship.
- Modernization of 4 Meko class frigates acquired from Germany.
- Participation in the planned ABD Constellation class frigate and MMPC type corvette programs, supported by 4 European countries, which are expected to begin production after 2030.
- Modernization of Type 214 submarines acquired from Germany and purchase of new submarines.
- Increasing the number of Island class patrol vessels from the US to 6 by acquiring 2 more.
In the meantime, the Ministry of National Defense's statement that "the construction of 31 ships is successfully continuing in our shipyards" has also received extensive coverage in the Greek media.
The Kathimerini newspaper stated in its report, "Turkey is implementing a huge and persistent program to renew its navy with domestic production and arm its warships with missiles such as ATMACA and MİDLAS that it has produced, while Greece did nothing to strengthen its navy between 2010-2020."