PodcastGreece to buy drone fleet to challenge Turkey in Med Sea
Greece has decided to buy a total of five armed drones from the United States and Israel after Turkey's move to deploy its own armed drones to northern Cyprus, The Times reported on Dec. 18. The newspaper quoted Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos as saying that the drones could be used to “immobilize” their Turkish counterparts should they enter Greek airspace.
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Greece is set to buy a fleet of American and Israeli armed drones after Turkey started deploying its own armed drones to northern Cyprus, The Times reported on Dec. 18.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos told the parliament late on Dec. 17 that Athens is buying three U.S. drones and two others from Israel, which could be used to “immobilize” their Turkish counterparts should they enter Greek airspace.
“Rules of engagement have already been charted by [our] country’s armed forces . . . to confront potential threats to our sovereignty . . . including [action] to immobilize Turkish drones,” he said.
Greece's move came after Turkey sent a military drone to northern Cyprus amid growing tensions over Ankara's deal with Libya.
The Turkish Cyprus cabinet last week designated the Geçitkale airport on the island as a base for the drones, the Turkish media said. It said drones, both armed and unarmed, would begin operations on Dec. 16.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commented on the newly sent drones on Dec. 17, saying that Turkey could increase their number in northern Cyprus if needed.
The island of Cyprus was divided in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a Greek-inspired coup. The Southern Cyprus, an EU member, has argued with Turkey for years over the ownership of fossil fuels in the eastern Mediterranean, thought to be rich in natural gas.
Turkey's recent deal with Libya has ramped up tensions with Southern Cyprus and Greece, with various media outlets saying that the Greek government has been preparing for the worst regarding the country’s relations with Ankara.
Turkey and Libya’s U.N.-recognized government in Tripoli signed on Nov. 27 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) delineating their security and maritime boundaries.
The deal has rankled Greece and Southern Cyprus, as they perceive the agreement as a Turkish move to maximize its economic and strategic influence. The new maritime boundary transects an area claimed by the two countries. It runs close to the Greek island of Crete and could jeopardize plans for a gas pipeline to deliver eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe.