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Spain provided the designs and know-how of the Anantolou helicopter (photo), while Germany provided the same for the 214 submarines (identical to the Navy’s “Papanikolis” type).
Athens remains prepared for any eventuality against Ankara, even after the discount for the continuation of Turkish investigations for the next two months. Amid this ongoing operational escalation, Athens is also telling its European partners that an EU member state is not possible. be threatened by Turkey and at the same time continue normal arms exports to the country.
The explicit report of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the arms embargo in Turkey by the EU partners. but also for the German Chancellor, Haiko Maas, it has a much greater depth than is recognized by the exporting countries themselves. After all, this was described in detail by Chancellor Nikos Dendias in his letter to his counterparts in Germany, Italy and Spain.
The most serious aspect of the assistance provided by many of the European partners to Turkey is not only the equipment but, more importantly, the technical knowledge provided, which has enabled Ankara to rapidly develop and expand its national defense industry. mainly in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and drones.
The main cutting edge weapon, which Mr. Mitsotakis explicitly mentioned to his interlocutors, is the submarine type 214 (identical to the type “Papanikolis” of the Navy), German design and shipbuilding in Turkey. Berlin has provided all its knowledge about shipbuilding to Ankara, as well as anaerobic propulsion systems (AIP). The Berlin-Ankara cooperation in the field of production of the Leopard (2A4) integrated tank program is similar. It also provides important technological assistance in the production of the Korkut medium-range anti-aircraft system (Rheinmetall type), as well as PorSav portable missiles (this is practically the Turkish version of the “Stinger” missiles known in Greece).
The Germans are also negotiating with the Turks to provide them with the technical know-how for the Altai “domestic” tank engine. In terms of engines, the Turks are discussing with Berlin the design of the “national” TFX fighter jet, which, of course, remains a plan on paper.
The Germans also provided engines for the national corvette of the Turkish navy, and they do exactly the same for the so-called national frigate (MilGem). Together with the French and the Spanish (European co-production), they also contributed their know-how for the development of A-400 transport aircraft. MEKO frigates are also a type of German ship that has been developed for the Turkish Navy, to which the relevant knowledge has been provided. In an effort to expand the diversity of the Turkish fleet, London has ushered in the development of the TF-2000 frigate, apparently agreeing to provide technical expertise. According to Turkish plans, the TF-2000 is very likely to move fast due to the common will of Ankara – London (the UK is outside the EU, after all) for closer cooperation in all areas.
Italy has provided significant knowledge to Turkey through the delivery of T-129-ATAK attack helicopters (a faithful copy of the A-129) and GokTurk spy satellites. Spain contributed the designs and know-how of the Anantolou helicopter, while selling to Ankara the CN-235 Naval Cooperation Aircraft, which together with the Italian-made ATR-72 are the “eye” of the Turkish Air Force in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
One of the weaknesses of the European attitude towards Turkey in the field of armaments is the development of “HIZIR” type vehicles (Armored Personnel Transport Vehicles), which are financed by the EU. for the surveillance of the Turkish border.
The Athens Diplomatic Marathon
Athens opens a diplomatic range, in parallel with the central concern of this period, which is none other than the Turkish aggression and its confrontation. An indication of the difficulties faced is the torpedoing of the secretary-general’s initiative. Jens Stoltenberg on a moratorium on the exercises of October 28 and 29 (national holidays of Greece and Turkey) from Ankara, in fact with the publication of NAVTEX for live fire, 25 nautical miles (nm) east of Kastellorizo.
Previously, the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, in the press release issued by his office, was careful not to present the moratorium as completed but as a proposal by Mr. Stoltenberg. This distrust was confirmed a few days before (October 12), when Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the resumption of Oruts Reyes’ investigations in Castellorizo, despite the fact that foreign ministers D will have a date for the resumption of exploratory contacts.
Perhaps the most important event of the last days concerns the agreement between Greece and Albania to appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
During his visit to Tirana, Mr. Dendias informed his counterpart, as well as the country’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, about Greece’s intention to expand its territorial waters from 6 to 12 nm. throughout the Ionian, but it was not limited to this, as it did the same with the Albanian opposition. For Athens, the appeal to The Hague is a much more important semantically agreement, as it certifies against even the most skeptical critic of Greece’s commitment to international law and its courts. Indeed, informed sources said, the joint appeal in The Hague is a document without much difficulty, so the relevant discussions will unfold quickly.
Greek-Russian relations
Athens will take the next important diplomatic step tomorrow, as it will visit it the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, who will meet with Mr. Dendias and be received by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Lavrov is expected to raise issues related to Greece’s participation in international organizations, such as the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the UN, where, according to Moscow, Athens should have a more friendly attitude towards Russians. positions. In Moscow, there is an understanding for Greece’s participation in NATO, however, they would like, when questions concerning Russia are raised in the Alliance, Athens slightly separates its position.
From the Moscow side, the question of finding forms of economic cooperation that are not affected by the existing sanctions is still expected to arise. Athens is expected to express its understanding for Russia’s existing interests in the eastern Mediterranean and its role as a key player in the thorny problems of Syria and Libya. Athens is also favored by the warming relations between Russia and Cyprus, after Lavrov’s last visit to Nicosia.
From the Greek side, the issue of Turkey is also expected to be raised, as it is estimated that there is strategic opposition in Syria, Libya and the Caucasus. Mr. Lavrov is looking forward to raising the issue of some cooperation on de facto limited armaments. Another interesting visit, which has gone “unnoticed” and will take place tomorrow in Athens, is that of the Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
