Greece Armattas: 25 billion euros for defence, Israel's purchase of weapons

“Greece may be small in size, but its geopolitical importance is enormous,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told lawmakers Wednesday. He added that, “The defence minister knows there are 25 billion euros available for the duration of the programme. It will now have to prioritise and make elections that are critical and necessary, Mitsotakis stressed.

Unlike many EU counterparts, Greece is not unknown to government spending policies. It has been historically one of NATO members with higher defence expenditures as part of its economic output, regularly exceeding the alliance's 2% GDP target even at the height of its financial problems, it is presented Periscope.

This comes mainly because of its long-standing rivalry with neighbouring Turkey, a source of permanent tensions that has forced the two countries to maintain strong preventive skills. Over the past five years, Greece did so by buying 24 warplanes and Rafare frigates from France and ordering up to 40 F-35 aircraft from the US.

Now, with Europe focused on facilitating larger defence investments, including a larger fiscal space, Greece seeks to set a clear path for the years to come.

The strategy also envisions the integration of new defence technologies into Greece's capabilities to calculate the changing nature of war. This includes more pilot-free air vehicles, drones and anti-drone systems, the use of AI, as well as cyber security methods, the prime minister said.

On Sunday, Mitsotakis travelled to Israel to meet with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyah, as well as officials from the country's defence ministry and senior leaders from his military sector. The Greek leader discussed the possibility of expanding co-operation with them, emphasising innovation and technological skills. (A2 Television)