According to British newspaper Telegraph, Greece has launched a multi-billion euro claim against one of Germany’s biggest defence firms, who sold the Greek government four submarines that have never sailed.

As mentioned in the article, this controversial military deal which has threatened Greece’s position in Nato became symbolic of the financial crisis in Greece.

In fact, the Telegraph published photographs of the four submarines, which are still unfinished in a Greek shipyard, almost 15 years after they were first ordered.

The British newspaper revealed that the Greek Government has launched a seven-billion euro compensation claim against ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Abu Dhabi Mar, i.e. the defence firm and shipyard now responsible for the order
A 200-page document sent to the ICC International Court of Arbitration states that Greece’s international position was compromised by the failure to supply the submarines and its position in Nato was undermined.
“The issue is so sensitive that we could claim even higher economic compensation from the Arabs and the Germans because the submarines are connected with the geostrategic role of the country, its place within NATO, and the fact that the country is awaiting the finalisation of the Exclusive Economic Zone which has brought several investors who want to invest in its natural resources,” said a well-placed source of The Telegraph.

The Telegraph also underlines that in total the submarine deal has cost at least three billion euros – three times more than the EU demanded that the Greek administration save from the country’s budget by cutting workers’ pensions.

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk