Greece Plans to Purchase Two Italian Frigates
According to a report by Reference News Network on May 27, Agence France-Presse reported on May 24 that as Greece, a NATO member, is increasing its defense spending, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated on the 24th that Greece will procure two Italian "Bergamini" class frigates "to strengthen its naval capabilities."
Mitsotakis said that in addition to purchasing these two new vessels, Greece's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has also approved the modernization of the existing German ThyssenKrupp MEKO frigates, as well as updates to the encryption software for the armed forces.
These procurement plans must also be approved by the Greek parliament.
In response to the ongoing security dilemmas brought about by the persistent turmoil in the Middle East, Athens, overlooking the Mediterranean across from the Middle East, has been seeking to enhance its armed forces.
Greece has traditionally been an important customer for American and European arms manufacturers, and today it is one of the four NATO countries whose defense spending exceeds 3% of its GDP, second only to Poland, Estonia, and Latvia. (Translated by Zhang Sihao)
Greece plans to purchase two Italian Bergamini-class frigates to enhance its naval capabilities, as announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on May 24, 2023. The Greek defense committee also approved the modernization of existing MEKO frigates. This move is part of Greece's efforts to strengthen its armed forces amid ongoing regional security challenges.
- Greece plans to purchase two Italian Bergamini-class frigates.
- The decision was announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on May 24, 2023.
- The Greek defense committee approved modernization of existing MEKO frigates.
- Greece seeks to enhance its military capabilities in response to regional security challenges.
- Greece is one of the NATO countries with defense spending exceeding 3% of GDP.