Greece goes arms shopping as Turkey tension rises

France set to benefit from Athens’ plans to boost military spending.

 
ATHENS — Greece is getting out the credit card and going on a big military spending spree as it faces growing tensions with Turkey.

Despite the deep recession caused by the coronavirus crisis and a rising budget deficit, Athens has decided it’s time to act. Fighter jets, frigates, torpedoes and helicopters are all on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ shopping list.

France, which has given Athens political and military backing in its confrontation with Ankara, will be a big beneficiary of the procurement push. A deal between the two countries was on the agenda when Mitsotakis met French President Emmanuel Macron in Corsica ahead of a summit of Mediterranean leaders on Thursday.

But other key allies are also likely to benefit from plans that are expected to raise military spending by some €10 billion over the next 10 years, according to Greek officials. That would amount to an increase of about one third on current levels.

Some €1.5 billion will be spent on arms and equipment in the coming months and most of it will come from a recent 10-year bond issue.

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Πηγή: politico.eu