Greece Turns to France for Weapons – Handelsblatt Sees Germany “Left Out”

Greece’s New Defense Strategy

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently stated that Greece needs a “strong deterrent capability to remain stable and independent in an unpredictable world.” Defense Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized making the armed forces “smarter and more effective,” focusing on technological upgrades and greater operational readiness.

According to Handelsblatt, Greece also intends to use the EU clause allowing defense spending to be excluded from deficit calculations, helping maintain fiscal balance while investing heavily in its military.

French Dominance in Greek Armaments

Athens has clearly turned toward Paris, reflecting the close defense partnership formed under the 2021 bilateral agreement, which includes mutual military assistance in case of attack.

The French defense industry is the main beneficiary, securing:

• The sale of 24 Rafale fighter jets (18 already delivered),
• The construction of four Belharra frigates for the Hellenic Navy,
• And a recent deal for 16 Exocet missiles.

As Handelsblatt points out, “70% of Greeks view France as a friendly nation — a sentiment mirrored in defense cooperation.”

Germany “Out of the Game”

In contrast, German companies have played a limited role so far. The newspaper attributes this to both political reasonsand the strained Greek-German relationship, affected by Berlin’s stance during Greece’s debt crisis and its close cooperation with Turkey.

The report highlights Germany’s decision to allow the delivery of 40 Eurofighter jets to Turkey, as well as its support for Turkey’s participation in the EU’s SAFE defense program, which has angered Athens. According to Handelsblatt, Mitsotakis plans to veto Turkey’s participation as long as Ankara maintains threats of war against Greece.

Greece’s shift toward France is not merely a technical or financial decision — it is a strategic and political realignment. By strengthening ties with Paris, Athens seeks both a technological edge and solid alliances with countries that actively back Greek interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.Meanwhile, Germany seems to be paying the price for its balancing act between Athens and Ankara, leaving it on the sidelines of Europe’s new defense partnerships.

Source: pagenews.gr