Turkish media is sounding the alarm over Greece's weapons buildup, framing Athens' talks with U.S. Secretary of State Ma...

Turkish media is sounding the alarm over Greece's weapons buildup, framing Athens' talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a direct push to gain military superiority over Turkey in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. CNN Turk reports that Greece currently owes over 6 billion euros to the United States for defense programs, with the centerpiece being 20 F-35 fighter jets. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2029. Greece also holds an option to purchase an additional 20 F-35s, which would bring the total fleet to 40 and push U.S. payments past 9 billion euros, though Athens has not yet activated that option. France is the second-largest supplier, with contracts exceeding 7 billion euros covering four Belharra frigates and 24 Rafale jets. Israel is closing the gap fast. The Israeli-developed "Achilles Shield" air defense program has now been approved, with installation of SPYDER, Barak, and David's Sling systems set to begin and expected to be fully operational within 36 months. Athens is reportedly prepared to pay Israel 5.7 billion euros for the package. Turkish analyst Sezgin Erkan from Nisantasi University told CNN Turk that Greece is building a multi-layered defense and strike structure stretching from the mainland through missile systems and launchers across its islands. He said part of the munitions being acquired have offensive strike capability, and that the F-35s, with their low-radar signature, would serve as the tip of the spear against existing air defense systems. Turkish media described the Greece-U.S. Strategic Dialogue as its sixth round, with arms deals worth roughly one billion euros on the table in addition to the broader acquisition programs already underway. According to SKAI's Istanbul correspondent Manolis Kostidis, Turkish outlets were blunt about who all of this is aimed at, writing "there is one and only one recipient of this message: Turkey." #Greece #Aegean #Defense