Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
As the U.S. holds its presidential election, Greece is closely monitoring the outcome, knowing it will influence the country’s defense and foreign policy ties with Washington, according to a report by Kathimerini's Vassilis Nedos. With each new American administration, Greece re-evaluates its alignment with the U.S., as Athens seeks a more strategically autonomous Europe to reduce dependency on American support for regional stability.
Greece currently has multiple defense agreements and military projects underway with the U.S., aimed at strengthening security and stability in the region. Key among these initiatives is Greece’s acquisition of 20 F-35 fighter jets, expected by the late 2020s, as well as 35 Black Hawk helicopters set for delivery in 2027 and 2028. Additionally, the Greek government is pursuing a program to acquire up to seven U.S.-made Constellation-class frigates, a move that would enhance Greece’s naval capabilities and position it as a hub for maintaining these advanced ships.
These joint defense programs build on Greece’s long-standing military cooperation with the U.S., with American forces stationed at strategic locations across Greece, including the Souda Bay naval base and Alexandroupoli, which has become vital for NATO operations supporting Ukraine and bolstering NATO’s eastern flank.
Beyond military partnerships, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has advocated for a Europe that is more self-reliant and prepared to handle crises independently of U.S. influence. Speaking recently in Nafplio, Mitsotakis emphasized the need for a geopolitically mature Europe, capable of facing challenges without relying on American foreign policy, especially given Greece’s vulnerable geographic position near hotspots in Ukraine, the Middle East, and its neighbor, Turkey.
In addition to defense, Greece is prioritizing resilience against climate-induced disasters, which Mitsotakis argues are an urgent threat to European stability. The Greek government has invested €2.1 billion to strengthen infrastructure against extreme weather, spurred by recent floods in Spain.
With these investments and initiatives, Greece envisions a Europe capable of handling security and environmental challenges on its own, making the continent less susceptible to shifts in U.S. policies, regardless of the American election outcome.
