Govt to spend €25bn to upgrade defences

Greece aims to spend €25 billion (922 billion baht) as part of a multi-year defence plan, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament yesterday.

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The move is part of Greece's bid to modernise its armed forces as it emerges from the 2009-2018 debt crisis that led to years of austerity, and as it tries to keep pace with its historic rival Turkey.

Officials with knowledge of the plan told Reuters in March that it would stretch until 2036 and include the purchase of new submarines, new air, sea and underwater drones, and a communications satellite.