Greece and Turkey Join European Sky Shield: Strengthening Air Defense Cooperation

Defense News ,Greece  ,Turkey :- Greece and Turkey have officially become part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), led by Germany. This brings the total number of participating countries to 21.

The inclusion of Greece and Turkey was marked by a letter of intent signed by Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler during a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels on February 14-15.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the unity among the 21 European nations committed to the initiative. Germany is set to acquire the Diehl IRIS-T SLM surface-launched, medium-range air defense system, with the first deliveries expected next year. The goal of the initiative is to use common procurement strategies to save costs and strengthen air defense capabilities across Europe.

The next phase of ESSI involves collaborative training and operational efforts among member countries. Additionally, user communities for the various defense systems being acquired will be established.

Dendias and Güler emphasized the initiative’s role in enhancing integrated air and missile defense capabilities, fostering innovation, and promoting cooperation among European defense ecosystems. Turkey plans to contribute its domestically developed air defense solutions to the initiative.