Macron declines Mitsotakis’ request to block Meteor missile sales to Türkiye

French President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly declined Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ request to block the sale of Meteor missiles to Türkiye, according to Greek media reports.

Mitsotakis’ request rejected in Paris

Greek newspaper EFSYN reported that Mitsotakis met with Macron earlier this week in Paris in an effort to prevent the sale of Meteor missiles to Türkiye. However, the French president informed the Greek leader that blocking the sale was not an option.

French officials reportedly explained to Mitsotakis that the Meteor missile system is developed by a multinational consortium, which includes France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.

Due to this international collaboration, France alone cannot unilaterally halt sales to a specific country.

Greek concerns and alternative efforts

According to sources cited by Greek media, Greece may now seek support from the other countries involved in the Meteor consortium to oppose Türkiye’s acquisition of the missiles.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias had previously expressed concern over potential sales. On Jan. 29, he conveyed Greece’s unease to French Ambassador to Athens Laurence Auer following reports about the possible deal.

France’s stance on Meteor missile sales to Türkiye

While Macron acknowledged Greece‘s concerns, he emphasized that France does not exclusively control Meteor missile sales. He also noted that discussions regarding Türkiye’s acquisition of the missile system are ongoing and no final agreement has been reached yet.

Reports further suggest that if Greece fails to block the deal, Athens may push for any Meteor missiles sold to Türkiye to have fewer capabilities compared to those in the Greek arsenal.

Meteor missile and its consortium

The Meteor is a beyond-visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) system developed by MBDA, a European defense consortium.

Meteor has been developed by a group of European partners led by MBDA to meet the needs of six European nations: the U.K., Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden. All with a common need to defeat the threats of today and in the future.

The missile system is currently in service with several European air forces. It is renowned for its high-speed and extended-range capabilities. The ramjet motor provides the missile with thrust all the way to target intercept. This ensures the largest No Escape Zone of any air-to-air missile system. The fragmentation warhead ensures maximum lethality.

Lenght: 3.66 m (12’)	Operational range: 100+ km (60+ mi)
Diameter: 0.178 m (7”)	Speed: Over Mach 4
Warhead: High Explosive Blast-Fragmentation	Guidance system: Inertial Mid-course with Datalinked Updates, Active Radar
Detection mechanism: Radar proximity Fuze and impact sensor	Launch platform: JAS Gripen, EF Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and F-35 JSF
Engine: Solid rocket booster and throttleable ramjet

Meteor missiles can be integrated into the Eurofighter Typhoon, 40 of which Türkiye is in talks to acquire, and F-35 Lightning II, of which Türkiye was also a participant but was removed due to Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, Gripen and Rafale fighter jets.

Macron has yet to publicly comment on the reported discussions with Mitsotakis.