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French Rafale fighter aircraft at Souda Greek Air Force Base
Photo: Uncredited / dpa
The dispute between Greece and Turkey over natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean has been escalating for weeks.
Greece accuses Turkey of illegally exploring deposits in the Greek Islands region.
The government in Ankara claims that the waters in which natural gas is being drilled on a trial basis belong to the Turkish continental shelf.
Greece is now responding to the tensions with an extensive rearmament program: "There will be a national shield," announced the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a speech in the port city of Thessaloniki, which was broadcast on Greek television.
18 fighter jets and 15,000 soldiers
According to the Prime Minister, Athens wants to buy 18 French Rafale fighter jets.
In addition, four new frigates are to be purchased and four other existing frigates from German production are to be modernized.
The inventory of anti-aircraft missiles, torpedoes and other ammunition will also be increased.
In addition, the Greek arms industry should increasingly contribute to the armaments of the country - this affects shipyards near Athens, for example.
According to Mitsotakis, the military personnel will also be expanded: 15,000 new professional soldiers are to be hired over the next five years.
Mitsotakis said Greece is ready to peacefully resolve the differences over the gas conflict with Turkey.
If Turkey wants to do the same and still no agreement can be reached, the contentious issue can be brought to the International Court of Justice, he said.
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rai / Reuters / dpa