Greece has signed a contract to purchase 16 French Exocet anti-ship missiles, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced, quoted by “Reuters“, reports News.bg.
The agreement was signed in Athens by Dendias and French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who is on an official visit to the country. Details of the value of the deal were not disclosed.
The deal is part of a broader defense cooperation between Greece and France. In 2021 the two countries signed a defense pact, under which Athens committed to purchasing three Belharra frigates and about 24 Rafale multi-role fighters, manufactured by the French company Dassault.
Later, Greece announced its intention to acquire a fourth frigate, as well as cruise missiles, as part of a 15-year defense program worth 25 billion euros. The country's goal is to modernize its armed forces in the context of growing tensions with neighboring Turkey.
The first 18 Rafales were ordered at the end of 2020 for the sum of 2.3 billion euros. In September last year, Greece added six more to the order.
On April 9, the first six aircraft flew symbolically over the Acropolis, demonstrating the new level of military partnership between Athens and Paris.