ATHENS: Greece is in talks with Israel to develop a 2 billion euro ($ 2.11 billion ) anti-aircraft and missile defence dome, part of a wider push to modernise its armed forces as it recovers from a protracted debt crisis, Greek officials said on Thursday.
In light of the ongoing problems in Gaza and Lebanon, the defenses had probably resemble Israel’s Iron Dome and other interceptor methods like those used by its neighbors.
Despite some positive relations, Greece wants to invest in its defenses to compete with Turkey, a NATO ally and historical enemy, who is also developing its own weather defenses.
After receiving a closed-door presentation with Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, a cause with knowledge of the situation told Reuters that” the plan is to create a multi-layer anti-aircraft and anti-drone system.”
” We are in debate with Israel”, the source said.
Greece needs to invest 12.8 billion dollars by 2035 to modernize its military forces, according to a second official who confirmed the probable deal’s size.
The air defenses are a part of Athens ‘ 10-year military spending plan, which includes the purchase of four Belharra battleships and Rafale planes from France as well as up to 40 new F-35 fighter jets and robots from the United States.
Prior to the Thursday lecture, Defense Minister Dendias stated that “our goal is to change our military forces to the 21st century quickly.”
Greece now uses U. S. Patriot and old Soviet S-300 techniques to protect its airport.
Despite some melting in Greece’s long-troubled ties with Turkey, its far larger eastern ally, the two countries remain at chances on a range of problems including water restrictions, energy resources and aircraft in the eastern Mediterranean.
