“Let Greek people think about rising defense expenditures of Greece,” Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday on the matter.
Greece, which pursues rapprochement with Türkiye in recent years and Greek Cypriots controlling a part of Cyprus unrecognized by Ankara, stepped up defense spending and cooperation with Türkiye’s rivals throughout last year and in 2026. The defense ministry said in a statement that they were closely followed the developments regarding acts of armament and “regional military initiatives” in and around Greece and Greek Cypriot administration and expressed readiness to protect the country and Turkish Cypriots.
“Our country is committed both to peace, stability and good neighborly relations in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean and to protecting our rights and interests. Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is taking all measures for security of the country and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” the ministry said. “What the region needs is not arms race or steps escalating tensions. It is strengthening the cooperation based on international laws and the environment for dialogue,” the statement added.
In March, Greece approved the purchase of a 3-billion euro ($3.48-billion) multilayer air and drone defence system and the upgrade of 38 F-16 fighter jets. The total cost for the two projects, which were approved by a Greek parliamentary committee earlier, was estimated at about 4 billion euros.
