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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday that efforts to block the sale of defense weapons to Türkiye are futile, acknowledging Ankara’s growing role as a military power following a landmark Eurofighter Typhoon agreement.
“Türkiye is a large country with a strong defense industry. Anyone who believes they can block the sale of defense weapons to Türkiye is mistaken. That has never happened and it never will,” Mitsotakis said in an interview with SKAI TV.
The remarks came after Türkiye and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding on July 23 granting Ankara the right to operate Eurofighter Typhoon jets. The agreement followed approval from Germany’s Security Council to sell 40 Eurofighters, clearing the path for Turkish pilots to train and operate the advanced aircraft.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, jointly produced by the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, is considered one of the most advanced multi-role fighter jets in the world. It combines superior performance in air-to-air and air-to-ground operations with advanced stealth features, a delta wing structure, and highly integrated NATO-compliant systems.
Despite expressing that arms sales to Türkiye cannot be prevented, Mitsotakis emphasized the need to ensure European partners set conditions for the use of these aircraft.
“What we must do is sensitize our European allies about establishing prerequisites for the use of these aircraft,” he said.
Mitsotakis also criticized any potential inclusion of Türkiye in the European Security Action Plan (SAFE), citing ongoing disputes in the Aegean Sea.
“Greece will not allow Türkiye to join the SAFE program,” he said.
The Greek premier also addressed recent tensions over newly announced marine parks in the southern Aegean, which have drawn strong objections from Türkiye. He claimed the parks are part of “purely environmental protection initiatives.”
Despite recent disputes, Mitsotakis expressed optimism about diplomatic engagement. He said tensions between Türkiye and Greece could be overcome “through dialogue and goodwill” and confirmed that he would meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Greek media previously reported unease in Athens over Türkiye’s potential procurement of the Typhoons, given the aircraft’s high-level operational capabilities. The Eurofighter is already in service with several NATO and Gulf states, including the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.
The twin-engine fighter jet, powered by twin Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engines, can reach speeds up to 2,495 kilometers (1,550 miles) per hour and operate at altitudes over 16,700 meters (55,000 feet). With a range of nearly 2,900 kilometers (1,802 miles), the aircraft is suited for both offensive and defensive missions.
The Typhoon is outfitted with advanced radar systems, including the Captor-E active electronically scanned array (AESA), as well as infrared search and track systems, electronic warfare suites, and a helmet-mounted display targeting system.
It features 13 hardpoints for a wide array of weapons, including air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, Meteor, IRIS-T, and ASRAAM, and air-to-ground munitions like Paveway laser-guided bombs, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, Brimstone missiles, and JDAM systems. Its internal Mauser BK-27 cannon provides close-range combat capability.
Constructed with a composite airframe—only 15% of which is metal—the Eurofighter Typhoon boasts stealth properties that reduce radar cross-section, enhancing its survivability in contested airspace.
The aircraft is the product of a European consortium involving Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, reflecting broad defense cooperation across the continent.
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