Greece expresses concern over potential Meteor missile sale to Türkiye
Fighter Squadron 74 with Meteor
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has voiced Greece’s concerns over reports that a consortium, including France, may sell meteor missiles to Türkiye.
Dendias conveyed these concerns to France’s Ambassador to Athens, Laurence Auer.
Greek Defense Minister meets French Ambassador
In a statement on X, Dendias confirmed he met with Auer with the knowledge of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.
During their meeting, Dendias requested official information regarding reports of a possible sale of meteor missiles to Türkiye.
“I expressed Greece’s reaction to such a possibility to the French Ambassador. Such a development would not align with the excellent strategic relationship that has existed between our two countries so far,” Dendias stated.
Following the relevant briefing by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgios Gerapetritis, I met today at the Ministry of National Defense with the Ambassador of France, Ms. Laurence Auer, from whom I requested official information regarding the information regarding the sale of METEOR missiles to Türkiye, by a consortium in which France participates.
I expressed to the Ambassador of France Greece’s strong opposition to such a possibility, which is inconsistent with the hitherto excellent strategic relations between the two countries.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias
Greece opposes possible sale
The Meteor missile, classified as a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, is produced by the multinational European defense firm MBDA, which includes France as a key partner.
Greece has long maintained a strategic defense partnership with France, including the procurement of Rafale fighter jets equipped with Meteor missiles.
Dendias underscored that any potential sale of the advanced missile system to Türkiye would contradict the security cooperation between Greece and France.
“Today, at the Ministry of National Defense, I met with France’s Ambassador Laurence Auer and formally requested official information regarding the sale of METEOR missiles to Türkiye by a consortium that includes France,” he stated.
Strategic ties between France, Greece
Greece and France have strengthened defense ties in recent years, including the signing of a strategic defense agreement. Dendias emphasized that a potential missile sale to Türkiye could undermine this partnership.
“I expressed to the French Ambassador Greece’s strong opposition to such a possibility, as it does not align with our excellent strategic relations,” Dendias said.
France’s position remains unclear
It remains uncertain how France will respond to Greece’s concerns regarding the potential sale of Meteor missiles to Türkiye. The issue is expected to be a key topic in upcoming diplomatic discussions between Athens and Paris.
Greece continues to seek official clarification from France on whether such a sale is being considered, as tensions between Athens and Ankara remain a factor in regional security dynamics.
