As Greece-Turkey negotiations over gas drilling remain in limbo, a Greek government official is claiming that Athens wants to expand its “deterrence force” and is currently amid arms talks with a number of countries, including France, to buy a variety of equipment.
“We are in talks with France, and not only with France, in order to increase our country's defence potential,” the Athens official told Reuters on Tuesday.
“Within this framework, there is a discussion which includes the purchase of aircraft.”
“There is no agreement as written in several media. However, there are discussions on a number of subjects,” a government source from Paris emphasized to Reuters.
Greek Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis clarified on Tuesday that Athens is “in consultations” to strengthen its armed forces.
Early reports on the arms talks detailed that Greek officials seek to spend nearly $12 billion (10 billion euros) over the next 10 years. Greek media claims $1.19 billion to $1.8 billion (1 to 1.5 billion euros) have been earmarked for the purchase of missiles, torpedoes and miscellaneous parts in the coming months.
Greece and neighboring Turkey have recently been entangled in a series of military and political confrontations due to Ankara's recent exploration of gas drilling in Athens-claimed waters. The near monthlong cycle of contention may come to a halt soon, however, according to Tuesday comments…
