Greece Approves Historic 20-Year, $1.68B Military Partnership With Israel

Tara Kavaler 01/06/2021

Jewish state will provide training and aircraft to Hellenic Air Force in the largest-ever military supply deal between the countries

The Greek government on Tuesday approved a $1.68 billion Israeli Defense Ministry bid to provide equipment and training over two decades to enhance its air defense, in the largest-ever military supply deal between the countries.

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Prof. Zaki Shalom, a senior researcher at the Institute of for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University, says Greece can learn a lot from the Israel Air Force.

“In recent years the Israeli air force has become the main strategic tool for Israel; it has carried out numerous operations against Hamas, Iran and Syria, and not a single Israeli aircraft has been shot down,” he told The Media Line. “Its efficiency in terms of strike capabilities is great, while the risk for human life is minimal. This perfectly suits Israel and Greece.”

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Regarding Turkey specifically, Oded Eran, a senior researcher at INSS and a former Israeli ambassador to Jordan and the EU, says that Greece, Israel and Cyprus are partnered in defense over Istanbul’s behavior in the Mediterranean.

“The three of us have concerns about its recent assertiveness and aggression in the east Mediterranean such as cooperation with Libya and dividing the Mediterranean into two exclusive economic zones and other activities … like Turkey’s support of Hamas in Gaza,” he told The Media Line.

For full article: https://themedialine.org/by-region/greece-approves-historic-20-year-1-68b-military- partnership-with-israel/