Despite strong objections from Greece, France has confirmed it will not impede Turkey’s acquisition of Meteor air-to-air missiles. This decision has left Athens feeling betrayed by a crucial European ally.
Sébastien Lecornu, France’s Armed Forces Minister, addressed the matter directly in a parliamentary session, stating that the French government does not possess the authority to block the deal. Greece has urged France to take action, accusing it of facilitating Turkey’s plans to equip its expected fleet of Eurofighter Typhoon jets with the advanced long-range missiles.
Lecornu made it clear: “This is not France’s battle.” He remarked, “While Greece asked us to intervene against the sale of Meteor missiles to Turkey, it falls outside the jurisdiction of President Emmanuel Macron’s administration.” He stressed that France does not control British weapon exports, thus separating Paris from the transaction. “We are not the ones selling this platform to Turkey,” he added, reinforcing France’s position that diplomacy, rather than intervention, is the preferable approach for Greece.
This hands-off strategy reflects the intricate dynamics of international arms manufacturing and export regulations. The Meteor missile, designed for beyond-visual-range combat, is produced by MBDA, a multinational consortium in which France has a stake through Airbus, alongside Britain’s BAE Systems and Italy’s Leonardo.
However, the UK spearheaded the missile’s development, with BAE Systems leading the charge. Originally commissioned by six nations—Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden—export decisions are ultimately controlled by the respective national governments. In this instance, the sale of Meteor missiles to Turkey is linked to the Eurofighter Typhoon, a fighter jet produced by a separate consortium led by Britain and Germany. Lecornu emphasized that, while France contributes to MBDA, it does not dictate export decisions driven by the British.
The Eurofighter deal, including the Meteor missiles, is under the jurisdiction of London, not Paris. This delineation of responsibility illustrates the nature of European defense collaboration, where cooperative projects do not diminish a nation’s control over its own export decisions.
Turkey’s journey to procure the Eurofighter Typhoon has encountered various challenges, primarily due to resistance from Germany in the Eurofighter consortium. Concerns over human rights abuses linked to Turkey’s military actions in Syria had initially stalled the sale. Additionally, Turkey’s expulsion from the U.S.-led F-35 program in 2019, following its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, underlined the urgent need for modernization in its air force.
By 2023, Britain, Italy, and Spain started advocating for the sale, viewing Turkey as a key NATO ally in need of support. Eventually, Germany’s position shifted when Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Istanbul in late 2024, clearing the way for negotiations led by the UK.
Recent reports suggest that Turkey is set to acquire 40 Typhoons in two stages: the first phase involving 20 second-hand jets from the UK beginning in 2026, followed by 20 newly constructed aircraft, with full operational capabilities expected by 2030.
Once operational, the Eurofighter Typhoon will significantly enhance Turkey’s air force, providing a versatile platform for both peacetime and wartime operations. During peacetime, the jets will monitor Turkey’s extensive airspace, crucial given the country’s proximity to volatile regions like Syria, Iraq, and the Black Sea.
Equipped with advanced radar systems and the Meteor missile, Typhoons are expected to act as a deterrent against potential threats, asserting Turkey’s military presence without engaging in direct conflict. In wartime, the Typhoon’s multi-role capabilities will become evident, excelling in air-to-air combat with the Meteor’s extended reach and facilitating precise ground strikes.
Greece’s concerns regarding Turkey’s acquisition of the Meteor missile are rooted in the longstanding rivalry between the two NATO members. They have clashed over maritime boundaries, airspace in the Aegean Sea, and the contested island of Cyprus, resulting in heightened military tensions.
In response to Turkey’s actions, Greece has invested significantly in modernizing its air force, acquiring 24 Rafale jets from France, all equipped with Meteor missiles, to counterbalance Turkey’s military enhancements. The Meteor’s impressive range—over 100 kilometers, potentially extending to 200—allows Greek pilots to engage from a safe distance, changing the dynamics of aerial combat in the crowded Aegean region.
Should Turkey successfully integrate the Typhoon with the Meteor, it could diminish Greece’s strategic advantages, prompting fears in Athens that Turkey may become more assertive in its territorial claims. For Greece, this isn’t merely about military hardware; it’s about maintaining a critical balance of power that could influence future confrontations.
The Meteor missile is regarded as a technological leap, designed to outperform competitors in its category. Developed by MBDA, this advanced air-to-air missile features an active radar guidance system and a throttleable ramjet engine, enabling sustained speeds exceeding Mach 4 throughout its flight.
What sets the Meteor apart from conventional missiles is its ability to maintain acceleration, delivering unprecedented kinetic energy to targets far beyond traditional engagement ranges. Its effective range, estimated conservatively at over 100 kilometers, could potentially reach twice that in optimal scenarios, creating a dramatically larger “no-escape zone” compared to older missiles like the U.S. AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Additionally, the Meteor’s two-way data link capability allows pilots to update target information mid-flight or adjust course based on real-time intelligence from allied sources like AWACS. Its active radar seeker can engage swift, agile targets such as fighter jets or drones, even amidst heavy electronic countermeasures, while a combination of proximity and impact fuses maximizes destructive potential.
At 3.65 meters long, with a diameter of 178 millimeters and weighing 190 kilograms, the Meteor is compatible with various fighter aircraft, including the Typhoon, Rafale, and Gripen. While specific details about variants and potential upgrades remain under wraps, indications that enhancements like improved seekers or extended-range models may be in the works suggest its capabilities will continue to evolve. For Turkey, acquiring the Meteor is not just about military capability—it’s a declaration of intent.