Saudi Arabia asks Greece to extend the ELDYSA mission with Patriot systems until 2026

Saudi Arabia has officially asked Greece to extend the stay of its military personnel in the kingdom. We are talking about the mission of the Greek armed forces in Saudi Arabia, known as ELDYSA (Hellenic Armed Forces in Saudi Arabia), which can be extended until November 2026.

The central element of the mission is the Greek Patriot missile battery deployed as part of Saudi Arabia's long-range air defense system. This system plays a key role in protecting the kingdom's strategically important facilities from aerial threats, including ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles.

Negotiations on cooperation between the two countries began in 2019 at the technical level and subsequently moved to the diplomatic plane. An official memorandum of understanding detailing the terms of deployment was signed in April 2021. Already in September of the same year, ELDYSA soldiers were transferred from the military base in Tanagra (Greece) to the territory of Saudi Arabia.

The extension of the mission until 2026 demonstrates a high assessment of the effectiveness of Greek specialists and the strengthening of bilateral defense cooperation. For Greece, such a mission is also of strategic importance, expanding its international military presence and strengthening partnerships with key players in the region.

South Korea offers Greece its "stealth submarines"

South Korea has decided to expand its influence in the world of military technology and has made an interesting offer to Greece. Seoul offers to start serious defense cooperation, and as the main "trump card" on the table has put the project of KSS-III class submarines, which in Korea are proudly called Dosan Ahn Chang-ho.

These are not just submarines — they are some of the most modern diesel-electric submarines in the world. They can hide under water almost silently, are equipped with missiles and torpedoes, and most importantly, they can carry ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads (although Korea itself does not have them, but technologically the boat allows it). In fact, these are underwater predators that can hunt in the depths for months without being noticed.

Now South Korea is offering not just to sell a couple of such boats, but to build them together with Greece — at Greek shipyards, with the participation of local engineers and workers. This means that Athens gets technology, jobs, and best practices. And for Seoul— it means entering the European market, where good submarines are in short supply.

This may be a chance for Greece to strengthen its maritime power in the Aegean Sea, especially against the background of strained relations with its neighbors. And for South Korea, it is another step in turning from a consumer of military equipment into one of the main suppliers.

In short: "We have the technology, you have the strategic position. Let's make a dream submarine— together?"

The United States and its allies begin large-scale exercises in Europe: focus on the Balkans and Greece

In May 2025, the US Army, together with the armed forces of several European countries, will begin conducting one of the largest exercises in Europe in recent times. The main phase of the multinational maneuvers called LIVEX Immediate Response 2025 will start in the northern region of Greece — in Xanthi, where about 2,000 American troops will be deployed starting from **May 26 to June 6.

The key location is a locality Petrokhory, where the main operational elements will be deployed, including logistics infrastructure, control points and technical support. Not only the United States will take part in the exercises, but also troops from France, Bulgaria, Spain and North Macedonia, which underlines their international character and strategic orientation.

In addition to the main stage, smaller-scale scenarios will be conducted in parallel in a number of countries in the Balkan region: Slovakia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro and Croatia. These events will demonstrate the readiness of NATO and its partners to respond quickly in the event of an escalation of the situation in eastern and southern Europe.

The LIVEX Immediate Response 2025 exercises are focused on working out joint actions in a hypothetical crisis, including rapid deployment of forces, interaction between allies, as well as protecting the territorial integrity of security partner states.

This series of maneuvers is becoming an important signal for both potential opponents and allies of the United States, demonstrating the strengthening of Washington's military presence in Europe and especially in the Balkans, where a high degree of geopolitical uncertainty remains.

BAE Systems unveiled the CV90 combat vehicle at DEFEA 2025 in Athens

 

CV90

At the international defense exhibition DEFEA 2025, which took place from May 6 to May 8, 2025 at the Metropolitan Expo exhibition center in Athens, BAE Systems presented a wide range of solutions for land, sea and air forces.  

One of the key exhibits was a model of armored vehicles, the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, which demonstrates advanced technologies and combat capabilities in demand in modern conditions. BAE Systems' participation in the exhibition highlights its strategic cooperation with Greece and other allies to modernize the armed forces and enhance the region's defense capabilities.  

The presence of the CV90 at DEFEA 2025 is particularly relevant in the context of Greece's plans to upgrade its fleet of armored vehicles. The country is actively working on army modernization programs, including the purchase of modern infantry fighting vehicles, which makes such events an important platform for evaluating possible technological partners.  

The DEFEA 2025 exhibition brought together the world's leading defense industry players from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia, becoming a significant event for establishing new contacts, demonstrating innovations and strengthening international military-technical cooperation.  

Greece may purchase Blue Whale autonomous underwater vehicles

 To protect its territorial waters from Turkey, Greece may purchase autonomous underwater vehicles Blue Whale from Israel Aerospace Industries.

As part of the arms buildup in response to threats from Turkey, Greece is considering the possibility of purchasing at least 10 unmanned Blue Whale submarines manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries.

Greece is interested in strengthening its capabilities to control and protect its maritime borders, over which it has disputes with Turkey. Unlike Greece, Turkey has refused to sign the Convention on the Continental Shelf and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because it does not accept the prevailing consensus of the international community that the islands are independent parts of the mainland, not connected to the mainland. In other words, each island — in this case, the Greek one — has an independent continental shelf, as a result of which it has the right to territorial waters of 12 nautical miles.

Blue Whale Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Greece buys 16 EXOCET MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles from France

 

Greece and France have signed an interstate agreement on the purchase of 16 EXOCET MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles with the ability to attack ground targets. The signing took place in Athens in the presence of the Greek and French Defense Ministers Nikos Dendias and Sebastien Lecorny. The document was signed by Major General Ioannis Buras, Director General of the Directorate General for Defense Investments and Armaments (GDDIA), and MBDA representative Anni Cristina Ramon. 

Characteristics of EXOCET MM40 Block 3C missiles

- Firing range: over 200 km.

- Advanced guidance systems: The missiles are equipped with the latest guidance systems that provide high accuracy and resistance to electronic interference.

-The ability to attack ground targets: missiles can be used not only against ships, but also to attack ground targets.

These missiles will be used on the last two Roussen—class missile boats, HS Karathanasis (P78) and HS Vlachakos (P79). This will strengthen Greece's naval capabilities and improve its defensive capabilities.

Turkey slows down F-16 deal in favor of F-35

Turkey is considering redirecting the $1.4 billion paid for the F-16 to the next-generation F-35 aircraft if U.S. President Donald Trump re-admits Turkey to the F-35 program. This decision was announced after a telephone conversation between the presidents of Turkey and the United States in March.

Details of funds redirection

- Initial F-16 Contract: Turkey has ordered 40 F-16 Vipers and related munitions, reducing the total deal value from $23 billion to $7 billion. Turkey has already contributed $1.4 billion as an advance payment.

-Redirection option: If the United States allows Turkey to return to the F-35 program, Ankara may redirect the funds already paid to purchase the F-35. Turkey has already paid for six F-35s, which are stored in the United States and can be transferred to Turkey at no additional cost.

Strategic motives

- Reducing dependence on the F-16: Turkey wants to reduce its dependence on the F-16, which are already outdated and cause problems in operation. At the same time, the F-35s have more advanced technologies and capabilities, which will allow Turkey to strengthen its air force.

- Lifting of sanctions: Turkey is considering the possibility of temporarily deploying Russian S-400s in Syria in order to lift sanctions related to the purchase of these systems. This may contribute to Turkey's return to the F-35 program.

Possible problems

- U.S. opposition: Some members of the U.S. Congress oppose Turkey's return to the F-35 program due to the purchase of the S-400. Republican Senator Jim Rich, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the F-35s would not be transferred to Turkey until the S-400s were removed from Turkish territory.

- Opposition from other countries: Israel and Greece also oppose the sale of the F-35 to Turkey, fearing a change in the balance of power in the region.

KNDS France and the Greek company Metlen Energy & Metals have signed an exclusive partnership agreement for the production of VBCI Philoctetes infantry fighting vehicles

On March 26, 2025, in Athens, KNDS France and the Greek company Metlen Energy & Metals signed an exclusive partnership agreement that allows the production of the VBCI Philoctetes infantry fighting vehicle (BMP) in Greece. The agreement includes the transfer of experience in the field of aluminum armor and localized production of the VBCI Mk2 welded structure at Metlen's facilities in Volos. 

This is the first time that KNDS France has entered into a partnership of this magnitude for the production of 8x8 armored vehicles. The agreement is aimed at meeting the needs of the Greek Army for a large number of infantry fighting vehicles and possibly other European customers. The agreement also aims to increase the availability of equipment by locating both production and service facilities in Greece.

VBCI Philoctetes

Greece announces the "Achilles Shield": a revolution in air defense

 Greece has taken a monumental step towards rethinking its national defense by officially announcing the Achilles Shield, an air defense initiative worth 2.8 billion euros (US$3 billion), which is the most technologically advanced component of the country's current 25 billion euro military modernization program. 

Presented by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Parliament on April 2, 2025, the Achilles Shield is designed as a multi-layered integrated air defense system capable of countering a wide range of threats, including aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, UAVs, naval platforms, and even submarine threats. This ambitious project, due to be operational by 2027, represents not only a critical modernization effort, but also a strategic turnaround in how Greece sees its role in the Eastern Mediterranean and within the framework of NATO's collective defense posture.

France will not prevent Turkey from acquiring Meteor missiles, causing outrage in Greece

Meteor air-to-air missile

France has officially stated that it will not prevent Turkey from acquiring Meteor air-to-air missiles, despite loud objections from Greece. This decision caused outrage in Athens, where it was regarded as a betrayal by a key European partner.

France, being one of the leading arms manufacturers in Europe, stressed that the acquisition of Meteor missiles by Turkey is a sovereign decision of this country. Paris said it sees no reason to interfere in commercial transactions, especially when it comes to the supply of defense products. This decision was made in the context of strengthening military cooperation between France and Turkey, which caused discontent among other European countries, in particular Greece.

In Athens, France's decision was met with outrage. Greece believes that the supply of Meteor missiles to Turkey disrupts the balance of power in the region and poses a threat to national security. Greek officials expressed their disappointment and said that such a decision was a betrayal by a key European partner. Athens stressed that such actions could destabilize the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and lead to an escalation of tension.

Meteor air-to-air missiles are among the most advanced in the world. They have a high range and accuracy, which makes them an effective weapon for aerial combat. Turkey's acquisition of these missiles will significantly strengthen its air force and allow it to more effectively protect its airspace.

France's decision not to prevent Turkey from acquiring Meteor missiles has serious international implications. It highlights the complexity of relations between European countries and Turkey, and raises questions about solidarity and mutual support within the European Union. While France is seeking to strengthen its position in the arms market, Greece and other countries in the region are concerned about the possible consequences for regional security.

The situation remains tense, and the future steps of France, Turkey and Greece will be crucial for further developments. Greece may try to find support among other European countries and partners, while France and Turkey will continue to strengthen their military and economic ties.

SAS Technology has successfully conducted combat tests of the Sarisa II drone at the Litohoro training ground

 The Greek company SAS Technology has completed a three-day live-fire test campaign of its Sarisa II Unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) (also known as SRS-2A) at the Lithochoro range from February 10 to February 12, 2025.

The tests were part of the SRS-2A certification process, confirming its ability to deploy both unguided and laser-guided 70mm (2.75-inch) missiles from Thales Belgium. The tests were conducted under the supervision of the Greek Ministry of National Defense in collaboration with Thales Belgium and Hellenic Defense Systems (HDS), whose technical support contributed to the implementation of the program.

Sarisa II Unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) (SRS-2A)