At a critical geopolitical juncture, with heightened activity in the Eastern Mediterranean and intensified deliberations within the Brussels–Paris–Berlin triangle focused on achieving a common European defense, the presence of the French Minister of Defense serves to underline—across many, diverse, if not neighboring, directions—that the Greece–France strategic defense agreement not only remains fully in effect but is also rapidly moving toward an upgrade, with 2026 as a key milestone.

At the same time, the visit of the French Defense Minister—who is scheduled to meet today with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias—takes place just a few days after the presentation of the Long-Term Defense Armaments Planning Program 2025–2036 of the Hellenic Armed Forces to the Hellenic Parliament’s Special Standing Committee on Armaments Programs and Contracts. A central pillar of this plan is the modernization of the fleet, a domain where a collaborative relationship has already been established through the acquisition of three French FDI (Belharra-class) frigates.

In this context, it is possible that the two ministers will visit not only Piraeus—where they are expected to board the French frigate D-656 “ALSACE”—but also the Salamis Shipyards, which host a joint team from the Shipyards, the Hellenic Navy, and the French company Naval Group, in preparation for the arrival of the F-601 “Kimon,” the third in line of the Greek FDI (Belharra) frigates.

Furthermore, the potential acquisition of a fourth FDI frigate equipped with strategic weaponry (SCALP Naval missiles) remains on the negotiation table. However, Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias emphasized at the Delphi Forum that, “We are not wealthy. Therefore, we are obliged to negotiate very carefully and thoroughly. And we expect a friendly country and a friendly company to assist us in this,” shifting the responsibility for potentially improving the offer back onto France.

In any case, the exceptionally high level of bilateral relations is also reflected in a series of diplomatic actions taken months ago by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, particularly when the Pentagon expressed strong displeasure to the French Ambassador to Greece, Laurence Auer, regarding the potential supply of Meteor missiles to Turkey.

Within this framework, the symbolism of the French Defense Minister’s visit becomes even more pronounced, as, according to sources, the acquisition of 16 French Exocet anti-ship missiles is being considered—a move that would serve as an initial counterbalance to discussions about Turkish interest in acquiring Meteor missiles.

At the same time, a declared objective of the Greek side is to increase Greek participation in defense programs, particularly in the field of defense innovation. The Minister of National Defense has issued a directive that Greek participation should reach at least 25%, according to a letter sent to the General Directorate for Defense Armaments and Investments of the Ministry of National Defense.

In this light, Minister Dendias remarked, “Now that we are entering a state of normalcy and have a long-term plan of 20 years—12 plus 8 years—we must ensure meaningful Greek participation. Not just a token percentage of nominal involvement in the program,” a point that sets the framework for evaluating proposals such as the French one to establish a production line for frigates and submarines at the Skaramangas Shipyards.