Greece is still addressed to France to one arm: after 24 rafale, Athens will buy a fourth frigate of Belharra

Greece will buy a fourth frigate of defense and intervention (FDI) of France, baptized Belharra for export, Greek defense minister announced Wednesday as part of a strategic association between the two countries.

“The bill for the acquisition of the fourth frigate of the Belharra type, which will bear the name of ‘Thérermistocle’, is ready” and will be presented on Wednesday in Parliament, said Nikos Dendias after a meeting of the Greek National Security Council, under the auspices of the prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The purchase of this fourth frigate, whose quantity has not been specified, is part of the strategic alliance of the two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and the strengthening of the Greek defense decided by the conservative government. Greece had signed with France in 2021 a strategic association in defense and security, ordering 24 Rafale aircraft and then three Belharra frigates for a total amount of more than 5.5 billion euros. The two countries had matched their agreement to buy a fourth frigate.

One of the 4 NATO countries that dedicate more than 3% of their GDP to Defense

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, of which the country is an important member of NATO, in particular due to its strategic geographical position in the Eastern Mediterranean, has repeatedly spoken of the growing challenges for the security of Europe. Greece had announced in April the review of his army, “the most important” in his modern history to which he will dedicate about 25 billion euros. During a visit in April for Sébastien Lecornu, then French Defense Minister, Athens had signed an agreement with Paris on the supply of 16 exocet anti -navire missiles of the European Missilier of MBDA.

Greece, a historically important client of the European and American defense industry, dedicates a higher percentage of its GDP in defense compared to the average of European countries. This country, where recruitment is mandatory for men from 19 to 45 years, maintains acrimonant relations marked by recurring tensions with Turkey, a neighboring rival but also a partner within NATO. Currently, Greece is one of the four countries of the Alliance that spends more than 3% of his GDP for defense expenses, behind Poland, Estonia and Latvia. By 2025, its defense budget reached 6.13 billion euros.