In a critical geopolitical juncture, with strong mobility in the Eastern Mediterranean and with the processes in the triangle “Brussels – Paris – Berlin” culminating in a key demand for the common European defense, the presence of the French defense minister is not going to emphasize many, Greece – France Not only does it remain in full power, but it also moves rapidly to upgrade, with a 2026 backdrop.
At the same time, the presence of the French Minister of Defense, who will meet today with the prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendia It takes place a few hours after the presentation to the Special Standing Committee of House Equipment Programs and Contracts of the long -term planning of defense equipment of the Armed Forces 2025 – 2036the main pillar of which was the modernization of the fleet, which has already been built a cooperation relationship, with the acquisition of three French FDI (Belharra).
In this regard, it is not excluded that the two ministers will be directed, except for Piraeus where they will visit the French frigate D-656 “ALSACE”, and at the Salamis Shipyardswhere it is based in the shipyard of the shipyards, the Navy and the Naval, in view of the arrival of the F-601 “Kimon”, the third Greek frigate Belharra.
However, the possibility of acquiring the fourth in a row frigate FDI with strategic weapons (Scalp Naval missiles) always stays on the negotiation table with National Defense Minister Nikos Dendia To point out, however, from the Delphi Forum that “we are not rich.
So we are obliged to count too much and negotiate too much. And we expect from a friendly country and a friendly business to help us in it, “throwing the ball to improve the tendencies on France.
In any case, however, the very high flat bilateral relations is also impressed on a series of diplomatic actions, which the French Minister of Defense took months ago. Sebastianwhen the Pentagon did not hide its intense discomfort to the France ambassador to Greece Loranes Auer in relation to the possibility of the supply of Meteor rockets from Turkey.
In this context, the symbolism of the French Minister of Defense’s visit becomes even more emphatic, as the acquisition of 16 French is reportedly examined. Exocet rocketswhich translates as a first counterweight to the discussion of Turkish interest in commission meteor rocket.
At the same time, a declared aim for the Greek side is to strengthen Greek participation in defense programs, in particular in the defense innovation, with the Directive of the Minister of National Defense having at least 25%Greek, according to a letter to the Directorate -General for Defense.
In this light, “now that we are entering a regularity and have a long planning of 20 years, 12 plus 8 years, we need to ensure Greek participation. Not just a small percentage of alleged presence in the program, “Mr Dendias noted, which shapes the terms against proposals such as French, to create a line of producing frigates and submarines at Skaramanga Shipyards.