Greece is set to strengthen its navy by initiating negotiations to purchase a fourth Belharra frigate from France, as announced by the country’s defense minister. To replace aging units in its navy, Greece had previously agreed to acquire three new Belharra frigates in 2021 with an option for an additional one. The fourth frigate negotiation was disclosed by Nikos Dendias at a shipyard in France.
As part of a comprehensive 10-year purchasing plan, Athens aims to acquire up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the US and Rafale jets from France. The defense minister highlighted the significance of the new Belharra frigates’ capability to carry “Scalp Naval” cruise missiles with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. These defense investments are intended to address ongoing issues with NATO ally Turkey, such as territorial disputes and security concerns in the Aegean Sea region.
Furthermore, Greece plans to procure Switchblade drones from the US to bolster its defense strategy. Dendias emphasized that these acquisitions aim to enhance security and establish a defense barrier in the Aegean Sea.
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