Greece ready for swift retaliation: Military chief warns Türkiye of 5-minute response

Hellenic National Defence Chief of Staff Dimitrios Houpis declared that the Greek armed forces are prepared to take immediate action against Türkiye in the event of an attack.

Houpis emphasized that, should hostilities erupt, Greek military forces are ready to respond within a mere five minutes, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

Addressing the persistent tensions between the two nations, Houpis characterized Türkiye as a "constant threat," highlighting the ongoing regional instability driven by Ankara's actions. He accused Türkiye of pursuing "revisionist tactics," particularly in relation to disputes over territorial waters, the continental shelf, and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

The Greek military leader underscored that Greece’s primary focus remains the protection of its national interests in these key maritime areas. Describing the Mediterranean as both a geopolitical epicenter and a vital strategic zone for Greece, Houpis pointed to the necessity of military preparedness in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty.

A key element of Greece’s evolving defence posture, according to Houpis, lies in its ambitious new weapons program. This initiative, he explained, incorporates lessons learned from recent global conflicts and is designed to counteract emerging security challenges. The program includes advanced technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and aims to enhance Greece's ability to respond to the technological advancements of its regional adversaries.

Houpis further emphasized the importance of military strength in deterring "hybrid threats," which encompass a broad spectrum of non-traditional and asymmetric tactics. His comments signal a continued commitment to enhancing Greece’s defence capabilities in a region marked by rising geopolitical tensions.

By Vafa Guliyeva