Following the completion of its agreement for the purchase of fighter jets from France, Greece is now looking for more modern frigates. Athens will need newer and more modern warships to deal with the rapidly growing naval force of rival Turkey.
"We remind you that Lockheed Martin has started upgrading most of the Greek F-16 fleet to the F-16V model (Block 70/72) which is the most advanced fighter in Europe. This upgrade program is scheduled to be completed by the end June 2027. French Mirage 2000-5 Mk2s aircraft will also be upgraded to extend their lifespan.
As a result, the Greek Air Force is steadily becoming a more modern and powerful air force. "The future of the Turkish Air Force, on the other hand, looks sadder than ever," said expert Paul Iddon.
Ankara has been suspended by the F-35 Joint Strike program, canceling an order for at least 100 of these advanced fighters after the purchase and delivery of advanced Russian S-400 missile defense systems.
In addition, Turkey's large F-16C / D fleet, with Block 30/40/50 types, which are the backbone of its air force, may suffer severely from the lack of extensive upgrades in the long run.
While the Greek Air Force has a good chance of gaining an exceptional advantage over its Turkish rival by the end of this decade, the Greek Air Force has to face the upgraded Turkish Navy.
The Greek fleet currently consists of four frigates designed in Germany, type MEKO 200 and delivered in the 1990s. It also has nine ELLI class frigates built in the Netherlands, two of which had previously served in the Royal Dutch Navy and were delivered in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In addition, the Greek navy consists of several new class missiles and has 11 German-powered diesel submarines.
"While this is a formidable fleet for such a small country, it certainly does not meet the threat posed by the Turkish fleet, which is growing significantly every year," he said.
The "Istanbul" Frigate is the last ship of the MILGEM class of Turkey and along with the four corvettes of the Ada category they create the new generation of the Turkish navy.
Turkey also has several German oil-powered submarines, many of which are built at local licensed shipyards. Turkey is currently building six new Type-214 air-powered submarines and aims to add one to its Navy each year between 2022 and 2027.
The new flagship of the Turkish Navy, the TCG Anadolu, is an amphibious attack ship based on the design of the Spanish Juan Carlos I with elements of Turkish development.
In addition, Turkey has eight former Navy Oliver Hazard Perry frigates, known to the Turkish Navy as Gabya guided missile frigates and four Barbaros frigates, along with MEKO 200 frigates.
Greece wants to buy at least four new frigates to start strengthening its naval power. At a joint press conference in Athens in January, following the conclusion of the Rafale agreement, French Defense Minister Floren Parly announced that "France will soon offer Greece new proposals for the renewal of its frigate fleet."
Last October, sources insisted that Greece would buy four American frigates, three of which could be built at Onex shipyards on the Greek island of Syros.
"Whatever Athens ultimately chooses to do, it has become absolutely clear that its navy requires significant supplies and upgrades to keep up with its larger and more sophisticated adversary to avoid changing the balance of power of the navy, for the benefit of Turkey," Paul Iddon concluded.
Greece with the purchase of new Frigates, which will have stronger and more advanced systems and missiles, can in a few years become a leading force in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.
As for Turkey and a possible confrontation, this does not frighten the Greek navy today, which is awe-inspiring in Ankara with its effectiveness.
After all, for our country, historically, the numerical strength (this was proved in the Balkan wars) never counted, but the seamanship and the professional training with which the Greek fleet always won.
*Edited by Evangelos D. Kokkinos
