Greece is in talks with France and other countries to purchase weapons to strengthen its armed forces, Reuters reported, citing the official.

Earlier, Greece's finance minister said that the country is ready to spend part of its cash reserves on the purchase of weapons and other funds that will help increase its "deterrence force".

"We are in talks with France, and not only with France, in order to increase our country's defence potential," a government official told Reuters. "Within this framework, there is a discussion which includes the purchase of aircraft."

Greek media reported on Monday that Athens had agreed to purchase 18 Rafale fighters from France.

"There is no agreement as written in several media. However, there are discussions on a number of subjects," a French government source said, without providing further detail.

Greece is at odds with neighboring Turkey on a range of issues, including hydrocarbon resources in the region, based on conflicting claims over the length of their continental shelves.

Tensions escalated last month after Ankara sent the seismic vessel Oruc Reis into the disputed area following a pact between Athens and Cairo to ratify maritime boundaries. France and Germany have tried to mediate to defuse tensions, while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called US President Donald Trump twice last week.

 On Monday evening, Turkey extended the operation of the Oruc Reis until September 12, after the EU called for dialogue with Ankara. The Greek Foreign Ministry called Turkey's decision illegal and urged Ankara "to desist from its daily rants and to work for security and stability in the region."