In our recent article, we referred to the Mitsotakis-Modi statements on the sidelines of the Greek Prime Minister's visit to India and the meeting-conversation between the two leaders on matters of both mutual and international interest.
Of their statements, Mitsotaki's statements are of particular importance in our estimation, regarding the "important progress in deepening strategic cooperation in security, defense, cyber security, the commitment of the two countries to International Law and the Convention on the Law of Sea, the expansion of the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor with our country being India's gateway to the EU and the agreement for Greece's support for India's candidacy for participation in the UN Security Council.
From Modi's statements, we keep highlighting new opportunities for cooperation in the field of Defense and the further strengthening of Greek-Indian strategic relations.
Areas of Military Cooperation between India and Greece
India has friendly and cordial relations with Greece and recognizes the historical contribution of our country to world culture, while their military cooperation will be in the common interest of the 2 countries.
The India-Greece partnership could be a win-win situation for both countries, especially Greece, which will have a new powerful ally like India to counter the Turkey-Pakistan alliance in the Aegean and SE Mediterranean.
Air Force
Greece, part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), can give a big tactical help to the Indian Air Force as our air force flies not only the Rafale that India has bought from France, but also the F-16 C/ D, held by the Pakistan Air Force.
The Hellenic Air Force has acquired both aircraft and will have a clear idea of the operational aspects of a Rafale vs F16 C/D match.
Therefore, the conduct of joint air exercises between Greece and India would result in the familiarization of dealing with the F-16s by the Indian RAFALEs, a fact very beneficial for the Indian pilots in order to deal with the "Pakistani" F-16s.
Drones
Greece and India can cooperate on drone defense technologies to counter the drone threat from Turkey and Pakistan.
Initially, Greece could share data on the flight characteristics and radar signature of Turkish-made drones with India, as the Greek military must have gathered important information about Turkish drones regularly flying near Greek islands.
Considering that drones are small in size and difficult to detect on radar, such information could prove valuable to India in the event of a potential conflict with Pakistan in which Turkish-made drones could be used.
In addition, the militaries of both countries could begin joint military exercises, which could include virtual scenarios simulating drone threats and deploying countermeasures.
S-400
India uses the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, acquired from Turkey.
The military exercises with India could allow the Greek air force to test its F-16s against India's S-400s, but also to gain a ready knowledge of its own Rafales on how to deal with the S-400s, since the India owns both weapons systems
The BrahMos missiles
BrahMos is a joint venture between India and Russia.
But with India holding a majority stake of 50.5% to Russia's 49.5%, Moscow does not appear to have veto power over who can buy the missiles in question.
America probably has mixed feelings about BrahMos, as it seeks to soften India's defense ties with Russia by expanding US-India defense technology cooperation.
In theory, Washington could also impose sanctions against both the makers of the BrahMos and any of their customers.
The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) of 2017 allows the US government to impose sanctions on countries that do business with Russia's military-industrial complex.
Therefore, after prior consultation with the US in order not to fall into the trap of sanctions laws (CAATSA), Greece might be able to buy the Indian BrahMos cruise missile and even co-produce it.
This would have terrible consequences in the Aegean, since by equipping our islands with land-sea arrays of the missiles in question, which are located further west of the 25th meridian in conjunction with their long range, we would create conditions of denial and prohibition of maritime access to the archipelago for the Turkish Navy.
In addition, the missiles in question could equip ships of our navy and also be carried by our newly acquired Rafale fighter jets, which combined with the ability of the Greek pilots, would cause panic in Ankara and limit the dreams of the "Blue Homeland" ".
