Greece is looking for ways to counter the proliferation and restrict the use of Turkish UAVs in conflict zones, the Greek daily Kathimerini reported.

According to the source, Athens is instructing diplomats to find ways to prevent Turkey from selling its drones to conflict zones as part of its desire to increase its influence abroad.

Turkey has invested heavily in exporting and developing its drone fleet, especially the Bayraktar TB-2 and Anka-S. These systems are capable of airstrikes and are useful for intelligence gathering on the battlefield. Drones have played a central role in Turkish interventions in the Middle East and the Caucasus.

On December 20, the Greek Foreign Ministry held a meeting with the military to discuss ways Greece can convince those who make such deals with Ankara that these sales are being made to increase Turkish influence.

Greece, for its part, has also invested in modernizing its armed forces with new weapons systems from France and the United States. In addition, Athens has secured closer relations with Israel and a defense treaty with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

But there is concern that Turkey could still have an advantage if it continues to promote its UAVs.

Other Greek officials also expressed concern that Turkey could overcome Greece's qualitative advantage in fighter aircraft simply by ordering more drones to outperform and crush them.