Greece aspires to build extensive air-defense shield against drones, aircrafts

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Greece aspires to build an extensive air-defense shield against drones and aircraft, its defense minister said Wednesday.

“The course of the war in Ukraine has made us reach the conclusion that Greece has to build an air-defense shield, like the one Israel has, which would close our skies to any kind of aerial threats,” Nikos Dendias told broadcaster, SKAI TV.

Citing Türkiye’s success in developing a defense industry that produces and exports state-of-art arms, including combat-proven TB-2 Bayraktar drones, T-129 attack helicopters, corvettes and cruise missiles, he said having a modern domestic defense sector is among the government's priorities.

Asked about Türkiye’s reaction to Greece’s plans to establish sea parks in the Aegean and Ionian seas, Dendias replied: “Türkiye must realize we have specific rights in the Aegean Sea, originating from the international law.”​​​​​​​

Türkiye cautioned Greece on April 10 against exploiting environmental issues for political gain after Athens announced plans to launch two new marine parks.

The Foreign Ministry urged Greece not to involve outstanding issues between the two countries concerning the Aegean Sea, including "the status of some islands, islets and rocks whose sovereignty has not been ceded to Greece by international treaties, within the framework of its own agenda."