Greece will strengthen its armed forces by purchasing new weapons systems, Kathimerini reported referring to the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotaki

Greece will acquire 18 Rafale fighters, a full squadron's strength, to replacing the aging Mirage 2000 planes; 4 new frigates, while refurbishing 4 existing ones; 4 Romeo naval helicopters; antitank weapons for the Army; torpedoes for the Navy and guided-missile for its Air Force. It will also add 15,000 professional soldiers to its armed forces over the next five years, Mitsotakis added.

The new arms procurement program comes amid escalating tensions with Turkey over resources in the eastern Mediterranean.

 "A shift in priorities (toward defense spending) does not mean a change in goals," Mitsotakis told a restricted audience of just 50, all wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

“Ankara is now adding to the provocations in the Aegean, the undermining of peace in the entire Mediterreanean," Mitsotakis said. “It is threatening the eastern borders of Europe, and it is undermining security in a sensitive crossroads of three continents.”