Greece, France forge stronger military ties with Exocet missile purchase

Greece has signed an agreement to purchase 16 Exocet anti-ship missiles from France, as part of its broader defence procurement program aimed at strengthening its military capabilities.

The deal was formalized on April 14 in Athens, with Greece’s Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu putting pen to paper, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

However, the two ministers did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement. The signing ceremony took place during Lecornu's one-day visit to Greece, underscoring the growing defence ties between the two nations.

This acquisition marks the latest step in Greece's ongoing military modernization efforts, which include previous purchases of two dozen Rafale fighter jets and three Belharra-class frigates from France. Additionally, Greece is in negotiations for a fourth frigate, while also receiving NH-90 military helicopters. Both countries are also collaborating on innovations within the defence sector.

The agreement comes amid long-standing disputes between Greece and Türkiye over territorial boundaries in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean. These disputes have brought the two NATO allies to the brink of conflict several times in recent years.

"Greece does not threaten, but is threatened," Dendias stated in joint remarks with Lecornu. He emphasized that the deal is crucial to strengthening Greece's defensive posture in the face of regional challenges. The ministers did not entertain questions from the press during their statements.

After their meeting, the two officials visited the French frigate Alsace, which is currently docked in Greece’s main port of Piraeus. Lecornu also had discussions with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, further deepening the defence collaboration between the two countries.

Greece and France previously signed a defence and security cooperation deal in 2021, which includes a mutual defence clause that commits each country to come to the other's aid in the event of an attack. This agreement forms the cornerstone of their strategic partnership.

As part of its military modernization plan, Greece has committed to spending 25 billion euros ($27 billion) over the next decade to adapt its armed forces to new high-tech warfare technologies.

Defence Minister Dendias outlined the country's shift in strategy during a recent speech in Parliament, noting that Greece plans to move away from traditional defence systems and embrace a high-tech, networked approach. This new strategy will focus on mobile, Artificial Intelligence-powered missile systems, drone technologies, and advanced command units, reducing Greece’s reliance on conventional fleets. The modernization effort follows years of defence budget cuts during Greece's financial crisis from 2010 to 2018.

Greece’s defence modernization program is closely aligned with its strategic partnerships, particularly with France, Israel, and the United States, as it seeks to strengthen its capabilities and secure its position in an increasingly volatile region.

By Vafa Guliyeva