There is an extreme war scenario where the arms race leads Greece’s forces to use French frigates to fight Turkey, using German submarines, according to the Greek Reporter.

The respective naval deals of Greece with France and Turkey with Germany raise some questions that must be answered in terms of Europe’s push for strategic autonomy.

The Turkey–Germany deal was announced last July. Ankara tried to boost its naval power by procuring six new submarines from Germany, a move that shows it wants to flex its muscle in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Greece and France sealed their “strategic partnership” in late September, with an agreement for the sale of three frigates, with the option for a fourth. The first two will be delivered by 2025 and the third in 2026.

In June, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias formally petitioned Berlin against the sale of the six subs. He asked that Germany stop arming a country which has repeatedly violated territorial rights of two EU member states, Greece and Cyprus.

According to the German ministry, Thyssen, the company constructing the six type U-214 submarines, is bound by a contract signed in 2002.

As the episode with the Greek Nautical Geo vessel showed the other day, a minor incident in the Aegean could occur at any time. If that leads into an impasse between Greece and Turkey, the arms race with French frigates and German submarines could come into world view.

Of course these kinds of war games have been hanging over the two countries for over 50 years. Needless to say, both are still members of NATO, despite their endless conflicts.

There have been instances where the two neighboring countries have been close to a war. Turkey’s military invasion of Northern Cyprus in 1974 drew a general Army mobilization on the Greek side. But given the collapse of the Greek junta and the rapid deployment of the Turkish forces, all-out war was ultimately averted.

Greece has always relied on EU support. Turkey is in perpetual negotiations with the EU for  membership. Still, Germany, an EU and NATO member, is arming fellow NATO member Turkey with defense submarines which could be used in a conflict with EU member, Greece.

This might very well be a war game scenario for the ages. It also indicates the terms of “allied rivalry,” if not “allied enmity”, between Greece and Turkey.