Greek Media Sound the Alarm Over Deepening “Technology Chasm” with Turkiye

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Greek media have raised alarm over what they perceive as an escalating “technology chasm” between their nation and longtime rival Turkiye, warning that the gap—especially in the defense sector—is widening at an unsettling pace.

One Greek outlet, Militaire, sounded the alarm over Turkiye’s relentless advancements in defense technology, with a sharp focus on its ambitious fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN.

“When Turkiye announced plans to design and manufacture the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, there were significant doubts, especially in Greece, which has long predicted Turkiye’s ‘downfall.’”

The report went further, warning that Turkiye is not only forging ahead with the KAAN but also negotiating a staggering deal to sell 100 units to Saudi Arabia—an outcome that, just a few years ago, would have been dismissed as sheer fantasy, particularly by Greek skeptics.

Meanwhile, another Greek outlet, Ekfrasi, issued a stark reality check, openly questioning whether Greece can even hope to keep pace with its neighbor’s surging defense industry.

“While Turkiye produces fifth-generation fighter jets like the KAAN, we [Greece] can’t even produce a single screw.”

Greek media outlets blame their government for failing to take the necessary steps to develop the country’s defense industry to a level that could compete with Turkiye’s growing capabilities in the sector.

Greece’s defense sector is described as struggling, with some media holding Defense Minister Nikos Dendias accountable.

They acknowledge that Turkiye’s defense industry has witnessed rapid growth, producing a range of products that have significantly outpaced Greek capabilities.

Greek defense analysts predict that if Turkiye successfully sells 100 KAAN fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, it will further cement Ankara’s status as a leading arms exporter in the region.

In addition to the proposed sale of KAAN jets, oil-rich Saudi Arabia has also purchased Akinci drones and Ejder Yalcin armored vehicles from various Turkish defense firms.

Saudi Arabia reportedly spent $3 billion (RM13.5 billion) to acquire the Akinci MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drones, produced by Baykar Technology – marking the largest defense contract in Turkiye’s history.

Defense ties between Turkiye and Saudi Arabia have grown closer in recent years.

Just days ago, reports emerged that Saudi Arabia is considering procuring approximately 100 KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets currently under development by Turkiye.

The potential deal follows a three-day meeting between Turkiye’s Defense Industry President Prof. Haluk Gorgun, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Khaled Hussein Al-Biyari, and the Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, Turki Bandar Al Saud.

Under the proposal, Turkiye is expected to begin delivering the fighter jets in the 2030s.

Saudi Arabia may turn to Turkiye for fifth-generation fighters after its bid to acquire American-made F-35 jets was blocked due to opposition from Israel.

The KAAN fighter jet project, launched in 2016, aims to replace over 200 F-16s in the Turkish Air Force.

The KAAN prototype conducted its maiden flight in February 2023, followed by a second flight in May 2023.

Full-scale production is expected to deliver more than 100 units to the Turkish Air Force, with a target of producing two jets per month by 2029.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the lead contractor for the KAAN project, is expected to deliver 20 KAAN Block 10 jets to the Turkish Air Force by 2028.

By 2029, TAI aims to manufacture two KAAN jets monthly, generating an estimated $2.4 billion (RM9.6 billion) in annual revenue.

The KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet is set to replace over 200 F-16s in Turkiye’s fleet. — DSA