Greece is one of the main protected costs of NATO. Therefore

In Greece and Turkey, “a lot of historical luggage”, – said CNBC Senior Brugale employee Jacob Kirkegaard.

The tension between the two countries concerns several hundred years and includes war, the movement of more than 1 million people will face control over Cyprus and a strong geographical element with many islands of Greece, he said.

“You have a very large number of Greek islands, quite close to the Turkish coast, which, in principle, the Turks could break relatively easily,” Kirkegaard said. “Greece has traditionally supported … Non -trivial military presence in almost all these islands, and it is quite expensive because it means you should have … a lot of garrisons.”

The concern of the “Turkish threat” is still relevant, said George Togapulos, senior Eliamep employee, CNBC said.

“Greece pursues a lot on defense to protect its sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he said.

Instability in the nearby countries and regions, including the Middle East, and especially Turkey’s “muscular policy” across the Mediterranean, made crucial for Greece to continue its strong defense, explained Tzogopoulos.

“There is no alternative in Greece, but be prepared for all the scenarios,” he added.

Experts note that the military force of Greece has cracks, despite the large defense budget of the country.

For example, Greece is increasingly focusing on investments in complex weapons systems, especially since Russia-Ukraine war, said CNBC co-chair of political counseling on Teneo.

But, he noted, “most of these costs were sent abroad.”

“The country still lacks strong internal protection, and the key priority moving forward is the creation and maintenance of the indigenous industrial base, which can reduce dependence on foreign weapons,” Pikkol said.

Greece’s military capabilities also suffer from practical problems, Kirkegaard added. Many Greek tanks are relatively old, and the staff is not trained to use these vehicles in large formations. The equipment also often spreads to the country’s islands.

“Therefore, in the case of Greece, it would be a mistake to equate the costs with some flat military capabilities,” Kirkegaard said.

As NATO officials gather this week, the Greek protection level must also strengthen the country’s voice among 32 coalition members.

Costs have already increased Greece’s relations with major states such as the United States and France, Picali said, partly because these countries supply military equipment to Athens.

“Protection costs in Greece also function as a tool for geopolitical impact, enhancing its permanent and safety guarantees in a complex regional setting,” Piccol added.