German submarines are giving Turkey an edge over Greece

That may make the eastern Mediterranean less stable


  • by
  • 07 3, 2021
  • in Europe

ON THE SOUTHERNNATO shore of the Gulf of Izmit, at the Golcuk shipyard, Turkey’s naval future is slowly taking shape. The first of six German-designed submarines lies in the water, after being floated out from its dock in March. The will join the fleet next year; five other Reis-class subs will follow in successive years. It is a triumph for Turkey’s navy—and a headache for Greece.Over the past year Turkey and Greece, despite both being members of , have sparred in the Mediterranean. Their warships collided last summer after Turkey sent a survey vessel into disputed waters. Greece responded by rallying allies in Europe and the Middle East, bought a slew of French warplanes and, in December, announced a doubling of defence spending to €5.5bn ($6.6bn). That, though, is still less than half the Turkish level. Turkey’s navy is bigger and newer. And the , a Spanish-designed light aircraft-carrier, is in the final stages of construction.

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