repulsewarrior wrote:...in any case, Greece has attack aircraft, Turkey does not have the same range. And as i recall, Greece has more frigates too.
It would not be an easy fight if Greece were to go at it alone, what with Turkey's superiority in numbers; but in the moments which would start a war, it would be an even fight, training and discipline will count for a lot. Though, in a year or two Turkey will have bigger numbers and sizes of ships.
(Let's not forget the batteries of S-400s Turkey is acquiring, either.) (Let's not forget the S-300 stationed in Crete).
Spain i ask, what will she do, who does she support, because at some point her, Italy and Libya will have to settle their own boundaries. She, with Turkey have excellent relations, or have her Patriots been pulled from Turkish soil, correct me if i'm wrong, she is close to Turkey in Naval affairs too.
...so far brinkmanship has had some success; witness what DAESH was capable of doing live on TV, and still those not "them" did not rise up in unity against these horrors. It is not so hard for Erdogan's Turkey to imagine that the same on the high seas is a far cry less reason to draw equal force and attention. In Syria, Turkey has what she wants, (from Russia, and, America,) that too is worth mentioning.
In any case, France, Italy, and Egypt have made their position very clear, and along with Israel they form a significant balance to Turkey's hostility.
...a wider war, if Turkey's, Army, invades Greece's mainland, (or a populated island) how would NATO and/or the EU react to that; could they expect Greece to go it alone? It is a possibility. And yet, as things are, it does not stop at Greece, and/or Cyprus, those not "Turkish" must not think that appeasement or a tribute secures anything more, than more attention in that way. Indeed, the balance of power in this wider region has been opened to change.
What are you talking about Turkey doesn't have the same range?
Turkey operates the same aircraft as Greece apart from the M2000, and Turkey also has air to air refueling capability (KC-135R).
The US Senate has just passed a bill banning Turkey's acquisition of the 116 F-35 JSF, but they have been developing their own Fighter program with Boeing. That might fall through too hopefully.
Greece wants to upgrade its M2000 fleet but France opposes that as they believe Greece is better served replacing them with Euro-fighter Typhoon. I agree with France's position that Greece should replace M2000 with the Typhoon.
I also believe that Greece should replace the F-16s with the F-35 JSF.
So I want to know what is happening with the 11+6 F-35s Turkey ordered which are now not going to happen. Greece needs to get a few of these. This is one of the reasons why I think the meeting between trump and Greek PM is going to be so interesting. Will their be an announcement?
My understanding is that the first few Turkish F-35s have already been built or on the line. Maybe they can just hand these over to Greece.
Problem is, the Typhoon and F-35 will cost Billions. It's money they probably don't have, but at stake are Trillions worth of resources.
Greece has signed a LOI for the new French Belharra Stealth Frigates.
Turkey would have only had superiority if she got the F-35s. Greece is ahead of the game with its Navy but it does need new Frigate Replacements. The big ace up Greece's sleeve is its Submarines.
The S400 are not even a player. Nearly impossible for the Turks to have major success with these given the range the Greek Ships will be from them, however the Greek S300s are in a prime location to do more damage.
Not to mention the fact that the USA is transferring hundreds of upgraded patriot PAC 3 SAMs to Greece.
But the big game changers are the Predator Drones, and F-35s. Greece needs those F-35s. If Greece gets these, then say bye bye Erdog.
