Greece-Turkey tensions: Greece announces military momentum

Greece has announced significant arms purchases amid rising tensions with neighboring Turkey.

The new weapons include 18 French Rafale fighter jets, four frigates and four naval helicopters, Prime Minister Kiriacos Mitsotakis said.

The country also plans to increase the size of its armed forces to 15,000 troops over the next five years.

Tensions have risen between Greece and Turkey over gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey recently sent ships to conduct seismic research, which intensifies the dispute over the area with Greece.

Both NATO allies have fought claims over maritime rights, which could exacerbate tensions.

The European Union, of which Greece is a member, has previously called for dialogue.

“The time has come to strengthen the armed forces … This initiative creates a strong program that will become a national shield,” Mr. Misotsakis said Saturday.

The cost will also include new anti-tank weapons, Navy torpedoes and Air Force missiles.

The new spending is the largest in two decades, the AFP news agency reported.

France has backed Greece in its dispute with Turkey and earlier this week stressed the importance of being “clear and firm” with President Emanuel Macron Turkey, whom he accused of having “unacceptable behavior”.

In July, Turkey announced that it would send a research ship to conduct a drilling survey in the waters near the Greek island of Castellorizo, a short distance off the coast of southwestern Turkey.

In response, Greece conducted naval exercises with several European Union countries and the United Arab Emirates.

Tensions between the two countries have been strained by a number of other issues, including migrants from the divided island of Cyprus and Turkey to Greece.