Greece has signed a new defense agreement with France on Monday to acquire 16 Exocet anti-ship missiles, the latest in a series of arms purchases aimed at enhancing the country's military capabilities. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias signed the deal in Athens on Monday alongside his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu, during his official visit to the Greek capital. While the ministers did not disclose the value of the contract, it marks a continuation of Greece's growing defense ties with France. "Greece does not threaten, but is threatened," Dendias said in a joint statement to the press, referring to Greece's fraught relationship with Turkey, with whom it has long-standing disputes over territorial boundaries in the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean. The two NATO allies have come close to military conflict several times in recent decades. The missile acquisition adds to Greece's broader modernization program, which was launched following years of defense spending cuts during the 2010–2018 financial crisis. Previous procurements from France include 24 Rafale fighter jets and three Belharra-class frigates. Dendias noted that discussions are ongoing regarding the potential addition of a fourth frigate, while France is also supplying NH-90 military helicopters. Athens plans to invest €25 billion over the next decade to modernize its armed forces and adapt to new forms of high-tech warfare. Speaking in parliament earlier this month, Dendias outlined a shift away from conventional systems toward a more agile and technologically advanced military model — incorporating AI-powered missile networks, drones and mobile command units. The defense overhaul spans all branches of the armed forces and reflects Greece's strategic alignment with key partners, including France, Israel and the US. — Euronews
