Greece’s armament upgrade – with the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets, the upgrade of the F-16s and the acquisition of the F-35s – is the issue that once again concerns analysts in Turkey after the shock caused by the recent decision of the American Congress.
As reported by SKAI, commentators noted that what needs to be discussed is that “with the acquisition of the Rafale fighters by Greece, the balance of power in the Aegean changes.”
The comments are made while yesterday it became known from the Turkish presidency that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, requested the help his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron for Turkey to procure the SAMP-T anti-aircraft system.
However, the response of the French president to the Turkish request was not made known.
Military analyst Abdullah Agar told CNN Türk: “We are dependent on F-16s and what is happening is terrible.”
“Indeed this aircraft will have some upgrades that will help it approach the levels of the F-22 and F-35. That is, with its modernisation it reaches the level of a particularly good fighter jet.
“But the US is selling F-35s to Greece while finding it difficult to even give us F-16s! Greece is receiving the Rafales.
“But what does it mean to change the balance of power in the Aegean with the Rafale?
“In my opinion, when we discuss with the West, we should not talk on the basis of F-16s, but on the basis of mutual trust”.
Turkish media are once again commenting on the conditions set by the US for Turkey to get the F-16s: “The US is giving the F-16s under conditions – They should not violate Greek airspace.”
Turkish TV network Haber Global commented: “The purchase of F-16s from Turkey has been made conditional.
“So US President Joe Biden will have to convince Congress that the sale of F-16s is in line with his country’s national interests.
“In addition, Biden will have to prove that he has taken steps, so that the specific fighters do not violate the airspace of Greece”.
READ MORE: Turkish media reactions to the halt on F-16 sales – “The Greek lobby’s amendment passed.”
