Modern Greek Army

[Angelo]

Greek Military Acquisitions on the Rise
5/19/2008 (Balkanalysis.com)

By Ioannis Michaletos

Greece and Turkey are historically known as traditional foes that accumulate vast military arsenals, preserving a delicate balance of power that breaks out occasionally with ‘hot’ incidents, inevitably involving the air force and the navy in the Eastern Aegean. Over the recent period, Greece has proceeded in acquiring new weaponry from international producers, while Turkey continues to pressure Greece on a variety of issues. One item of note is the heightened role being played by France as an arms-producing nation in equipping the Greek armed forces for their next-generation needs.

The most recent reports out of Athens indicate that the incumbent government is going to procure some 40 4th generation fighter jets, with the Eurofighter Typhoon topping the list, and the French Rafale, manufactured by Dassault, also being looked at. Moreover, after 2012 Greece will order some 60 American Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) planes.

The total cost for the above is difficult to estimate due to the changing currency index and the variety of missiles and auxiliary systems that can be added; in total, however, costs should exceed 10 billion euro, a substantial amount that is more than the total defense budget of Greece for 2008.

Turkey, for its part, has already planned their procurement of 100 units of the superb F-35 Lighting II fighter jet from the US. This is in keeping with the strategic aim of the Turkish Air Force of becoming the strongest in the East Mediterranean region by 2020.

On the maritime front, the Greek Navy has ordered six frigates by autumn 2008, at a total cost of 2.8 billion euro. The French, according to all estimations, have gained the upper hand in offering the FREMM type vessel. The French are also likely to be commissioned for the modernization scheme of the Mirage-2000 fighter jets, costing probably in excess of 500 million euro, along with new weaponry such as precision guidance munitions and air-to-air missiles.

Greece already ordered 415 BMP-3 combat armored vehicles in early December 2007; they will be accompanied by another 81 as an offset, amounting to 1.3 billion euro. Most of these vehicles will arrive in Greece by early 2010. Moscow is also actively pursuing the sale to Greece of the BUK middle-range anti-aircraft system, at a cost of around 700 million euro. A decision on that is likely to be delayed until mid-2009, however.

An interesting aspect here is the willingness of the French to offer Greece the new Scalp-Naval surface-to-surface missiles with a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers, essentially a strategic weapon that will be deployed aboard the FREMM ships. In reality, this means that a Greek vessel could hit an enemy target in mainland Turkey while safely withdrawn in Southern Crete or even the Ionian Sea, far away from a potential theater of battle.

This particular weapon essentially replicates the abilities of the American-made Tomahawk missile, presently used only by the armed forces of the USA, UK and Israel. Already the Greek Air Force operates the Scalp Storm Shadow version with a 350km radius, which is classified as a sub-strategic weapon.

The main reason Paris is seeking to open up this export market, it seems, is the fierce antagonism between multiple high-tech weapons producers that have caused great losses to the French defense industry over the past decade. Greece, as a major European market, could assist the French into re-entering the market.

The French are also heavily promoting the Rafale fighter plane for export. Between the 12th and 16th of May, Greek and French pilots trained together with these fighters during the “Aegean Gust” exercise held in Greece. Five French planes faced five Greek F-16’s, engaging in battle simulation. The total French team sent to Greece numbered 45 personnel.

Officially, the exercise was a bilateral one conducted in order to further build bonds between the two nations; in reality, this was a high-level and high-cost marketing endeavor during which the Greek pilots and officers viewed under realistic conditions the real capabilities of the Rafale planes, and how they would operate under difficult circumstances against the American F-16’s, the main type of jet used by both Greeks and Turks at present.

In this light, it is not beyond the realm of speculation to conclude that, among other recent overtures, the French support for Greece during the controversial NATO Summit in April was meant to increase the likelihood of a sale that would be very lucrative for France.


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Angelo]

A deal for the construction of electronic subsystems for the new French Rafale aircrafts was signed yesterday during the first day of the defence and security exhibition which takes place at Venizelos international airport its about a 10 year deal which was signed between the Greek Miltech and Dassault aviation the amount of the deal fluctuates from 3 millions to 7 millions euros per year.

Credit for this information goes to ODYSSEUS


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Napalm]

An interesting aspect here is the willingness of the French to offer Greece the new Scalp-Naval surface-to-surface missiles with a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers, essentially a strategic weapon that will be deployed aboard the FREMM ships. In reality, this means that a Greek vessel could hit an enemy target in mainland Turkey while safely withdrawn in Southern Crete or even the Ionian Sea, far away from a potential theater of battle.

I'm starting to like the french more and more!

[Angelo]

Military exercise Sarisa 2008

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Angelo]

Even in peace time Hellas is in War.

Artical in Greek, and translated in English.


Την Κυριακή του Πάσχα 27 Απριλίου 1997, όλος ο θρησκευόμενος Ελληνισμός εόρταζε περνώντας στιγμές οικογενειακής θαλπωρής που προσφέρουν αυτές οι θείες ημέρες. Στις απομακρυσμένες ελληνικές νησίδες του Ανατολικού Αιγαίου, οι ακρίτες πέρασαν ένα λιτό Πάσχα, ευχόμενοι ο ένας στον άλλο και με την ελπίδα ο επόμενος εορτασμός να τους βρει κοντά στις οικογένειες τους. Το Φαρμακονήσι είναι μία από αυτές τις νησίδες, της οποίας η φύλαξη είχε κριθεί απαραίτητη λόγω της πολύ μικρής αποστάσεως που την χωρίζει από τα μικρασιατικά παράλια. Οι συνθήκες αυτές, καθιστούσαν την νησίδα ανέκαθεν χώρο προτιμήσεως των λαθρεμπόρων για την εγκατάλειψη λαθρομεταναστών σε ελληνικό έδαφος. Την ημέρα αυτή, η φρουρά των ανδρών του 521 Τάγματος Πεζοναυτών βρέθηκε αντιμέτωπη με μία απρόσμενη κατάσταση. Από τον Νότο φάνηκε η φιγούρα ενός υποβρυχίου με πορεία προς Βορρά. Ο επικεφαλής αξιωματικός ενημερώθηκε από τους άνδρες του φυλακίου στο Ακρωτήριο Ψαλίδι που εντόπισε το υποβρύχιο και έσπευσε αμέσως επιτόπου. Η αναγνώριση με τα κυάλια αποκάλυψε ότι επρόκειτο για to υποβρύχιο Yildiray (S350) του Τουρκικού Ναυτικού. Ακριβώς στο κρίσιμο αυτό σημείο, η επικοινωνία της φρουράς με την προϊσταμένη διοίκηση, απεδείχθη αδύνατη. Ενώ υπήρχε επαφή με το παρατηρητήριο του Πολεμικού Ναυτικού, ο επικεφαλής της φρουράς δεν στάθηκε δυνατό να αποκτήσει επαφή με την προϊσταμένη διοίκηση. Αντιμέτωπος με αυτή την κατάσταση, προτίμησε να αναλάβει πρωτοβουλία αντί να αδρανήσει. Ήταν φανερό ότι το υποβρύχιο έπλεε εντός των ελληνικών χωρικών υδάτων και συνεχώς πλησίαζε στο Φαρμακονήσι.
Ο επικεφαλής ανέλαβε δράση. Το στοιχείο πολυβόλου FN MAG των 7,62 mm άνοιξε πυρ εναντίον του στόχου ο οποίος ευρίσκετο σε απόσταση 800 μέτρων περίπου από το νότιο άκρο της νήσου. Περί τα 200 φυσίγγια εβλήθησαν από το όπλο. Οι Πεζοναύτες διέκριναν καθαρά τις βολίδες που κτυπούσαν τον μαύρο όγκο του υποβρυχίου. 0 επικεφαλής, βλέποντας ότι το υποβρύχιο συνεχίζει την πορεία του, διέταξε το στοιχείο αντιαρματικού STRIM 89 να ανοίξει πυρ. Δύο βλήματα εκτοξεύτηκαν, δίχως όμως αποτέλεσμα. Ο στόχος βρισκόταν εκτός του μέγιστου βεληνεκούς του όπλου. Ωστόσο η έκρηξη των βλημάτων στο νερό, συνέγειρε το πλήρωμα του υποβρυχίου, το οποίο άρχιζε διαδικασίες ταχείας καταδύσεως. Στο μεταξύ, ο επικεφαλής είχε μετακινηθεί ταχέως στο Βόρειο άκρο της νησίδος, στο Ακρωτήριο Γέροντα, όπου υπήρχε άλλο φυλάκιο, συνεχίζοντας να παρακολουθεί τις κινήσεις του στόχου. Αν και είχε αρχίσει η τάξη ενός στοιχείου όλμου των 60 mm, τα χρονικά περιθώρια δεν επέτρεψαν την χρήση του. Στην νέα θέση, ευρίσκετο άλλο στοιχείο πολυβόλου. Στο ύψος αυτό, το υποβρύχιο είχε αρχίσει να καταδύεται. Μέχρι να χαθεί κάτω από την επιφάνεια της θαλάσσης, το πολυβόλο αυτό είχε βάλει άλλα 200 περίπου φυσίγγια.
Η γνωστοποίηση του περιστατικού στην Αθήνα, κινητοποίησε το ΓΕΕΘΑ που λειτουργούσε στους ρυθμούς των εορταστικών ημερών. Οι επιτελείς έσπευσαν να ενημερωθούν και να διαπιστώσουν ενέργειες και προθέσεις του εχθρού. Στην περιοχή του Φαρμακονησίου, επικρατούσε πλήρης ησυχία. Κανένα τουρκικό σκάφος δεν έκανε την εμφάνιση του. Η εικόνα που σχηματίστηκε σύντομα, ήταν καθησυχαστική. Η κίνηση του τουρκικού υποβρυχίου δεν υπέκρυπτε κάποια απειλή για την ελληνική φρουρά. Η ξαφνική όμως εμφάνιση του και η διακοπή των επικοινωνιών, οδήγησε στην ανάληψη πρωτοβουλίας η οποία στο τέλος δεν είχε δυσάρεστες συνέπειες. Την πραγματικότητα αυτή φαίνεται ότι αντιλήφθηκε και η τουρκική πλευρά. Στην Άγκυρα επικρατούσε άκρα σιωπή. Καμμία διαμαρτυρία, ούτε καν υποτονική και σε χαμηλό επίπεδο, δεν έγινε. Ούτε από το τουρκικό Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών, ούτε σε στρατιωτικό επίπεδο. Οι Τούρκοι δεν θεώρησαν καν σκόπιμο να ζητήσουν εξηγήσεις. Παρόμοια ήταν και η ελληνική αντίδραση. Το περιστατικό της 27ης Απριλίου 1997, ήταν σαν να μην έγινε ποτέ. Από πληροφορίες που έγιναν αργότερα γνωστές, ο κυβερνήτης του υποβρυχίου καθαιρέθηκε των καθηκόντων του, το δε Yildiray πέρασε αρκετό χρονικό διάστημα σε επισκευές, εξαιτίας των πολλαπλών πληγμάτων που είχε δεχθεί στον πύργο.Το συμπέρασμα που εξάγεται είναι διαχρονικά διαπιστωμένο: όταν η τουρκική πλευρά αντιμετωπίσει εξαρχής δυναμική στάση, δεν τολμά να αντιδράσει. Η μόνη δύναμη που υπολογίζουν οι Τούρκοι, είναι η δύναμη των όπλων.
Το άγνωστο αυτό περιστατικό στην ελληνική κοινή γνώμη, αποτελεί ένα ακόμα κομμάτι του πολέμου χαμηλής εντάσεως που διεξάγεται στο Αιγαίο για την υπεράσπιση της Ελληνικής εδαφικής ακεραιότητας. Τα παραπάνω δημοσιεύονται με την άδεια του συγγραφέα-εκδότη Σάββα Δ. Βλάσση.
Διαβάστε: Σ. Δ. Βλάσση, "IMIA 1996-2006 Αποκαλύψεις", εκδ. Δούρειος Ίππος, Αθήνα, 2006----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Easter Sunday, 27 April 1997, all religious Hellenism eortaze passing moments of family warmth they offer these days aunts. On remote Greek islands of the Eastern Aegean, akrites passed a modest Easter, wishing each other and with the hope that the forthcoming celebration to be found near their families. The Farmakonisi is one of those islands, whose custody was deemed necessary because of the very small distance that separates them from the mikrasiatika coast. Such conditions, make the island has always room for pre-emption of smugglers abandoning illegal immigrants in Greek territory. On this day, the garrison of 521 men of the Battalion Royal Marines was confronted with an unexpected situation. From the south showed the figure of a submarine with moving towards the north. The commanding officer was briefed by men in the post Cape Scissors identified the submarine and rushed immediately to the spot. The recognition by the kyalia revealed that it was a submarine to Yildiray (S350) of the Turkish Navy. Precisely at this critical point, communicating with the Head Guard Administration, it proved impossible. While there was contact with the Observatory of the Navy, the head of the guards could not gain contact with the head of administration. Faced with this situation, preferring to take the initiative instead of sleeping. It was clear that the submarine eplee within Greek territorial waters and constantly coming to Farmakonisi.
The chief took action. The polyvolou FN MAG of 7,62 mm opened fire on a goal which was at a distance of 800 metres from the southern tip of the island. About 200 cartridges evlithisan from the weapon. The Pezonaftes distinguished clearly volides which ktypousan black volume of the submarine. 0 head, seeing that the submarine continued progress, ordered the item antiarmatikou STRIM 89 to open fire. Two projectiles ektoxeftikan, but without result. The goal was outside the maximum range of the weapon. However, the explosion of missiles in water, synegeire crew of the submarine, which started procedures for rapid diving. Meanwhile, the head had moved rapidly in northern edge of nisidos in Cape Geronta, where there was another post, continuing to monitor the movements of the target. Although the class had begun a component olmou of 60 mm, time is not allowed to use. The new position was at another point polyvolou. At this height, the submarine began to dive. To be lost beneath the surface of the sea, the apparatus that had put another 200 around cartridges.
The disclosure of the incident in Athens, mobilized the Hellenic National Defence General Staff operated in the pace of festivities days. The makers rushed to update and verify actions and intentions of the enemy. In the Farmakonisiou, there was complete silence. None Turkish vessel did not display. The image formed soon, was reassuring. The opening of the Turkish submarine ypekrypte not a threat to the Greek garrison. But the sudden appearance and the interruption of communications, led to an initiative which in the end did not have unpleasant consequences. The reality would seem to be realized and the Turkish side. In Ankara ends silence prevailed. Any protest, even depressed and at a low level, it was not. Neither the Turkish Foreign Ministry nor the military level. The Turks were not considered appropriate to seek explanations. Such was the Greek reaction. The incident of 27 April 1997, it was as if nothing ever made. From information made known later, the captain of the submarine dismissed of his duties, and Yildiray spent some time on repairs, because of multiple shocks which had accepted the conclusion πύργο.Το exported is over identified: when the Turkish side face outset dynamic attitude, not daring to react. The only force that calculate the Turks, is the force of arms.
The incident is unknown to the Greek public opinion, is yet another piece of low-intensity war conducted in the Aegean to the Greek defence of territorial integrity. These are published with the permission of the author-publisher Savva D. Vlassis.
Read: S. D. Vlassis, "IMIA 1996-2006 Disclosure", ed Trojan Horse, Athens 2006.


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Angelo]

Originally Posted by Napalm
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I'm starting to like the french more and more!

X2

The deal the French are offering Greece {fremm} is excellent.Construction in Greece,join the fremm programme, technology transfer,scalp naval etc...Its excellent for Hellas many jobs will be created.A good chuck of the money 2.2-2-8 billion euros will going back to Hellas.

I was really pro Eurofighter.But now i want Hellas to choose the Rafale.The french are willing to built the rafale with Greece 50/50 co-production+ more contracts if other nation buy the Rafale.The germans are only offering 5% co-production according info.

[Angelo]

Intracom hellas has signed a contract worth 5.5 million dollars with Northrop Grumman

for f-16s electronic radar system AN/APG-68 V9


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Angelo]

The official accession of the Leopard 2 HEL :s030:



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[patrida1]

HAF conducts search and rescue exercise


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.




To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Angelo]

Nice pics patrida 1
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.