With eye on Turkey, India expanding its defence footprint in Eastern Mediterranean: Report
Athens, June 10
India's readiness to export advanced defence equipment to Turkey's rivals is largely viewed as a "counterbalance" to Ankara's sustained military and diplomatic support for Pakistan on global platforms, a report has stated.
A report in 'Greek City Times' citing Turkish defence analyst Ardan Zenturk stated that Greece's prospective acquisition of the Indian supersonic BrahMos missile could significantly shift the military balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
It added that Turkish media and defence circles voiced concern over an emerging multi-billion-dollar strategic defence partnership taking shape between India, Greece, and Cyprus.
"The BrahMos missile, capable of speeds between Mach 2.8 and 3.0, flies at extremely low altitudes - skimming as low as 10 metres above the sea surface. Analysts like Zenturk argue this capability could blind or overwhelm Turkey's Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defence systems," the report detailed.
"For Greece and Cyprus, land-based coastal BrahMos batteries represent a highly economical solution compared to building large surface fleets. At an estimated $3.5 million per missile, a limited number of well-positioned launchers could create a potent anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) shield, putting Turkey's larger navy at a significant disadvantage," it added.
According to the report, concerns are not limited to the BrahMos missile, with Turkey also closely monitoring India's development of the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM), which could pose a threat to critical infrastructure on the Turkish mainland from the Aegean islands.
As direct weapons transfers to Greece could trigger diplomatic and legal complications within NATO, Turkish intelligence reportedly believes Cyprus may be used as an indirect conduit.
"New Delhi and Nicosia recently upgraded relations to a strategic partnership and signed a five-year defence cooperation roadmap. Cyprus is also exploring a €1.2 billion defence procurement package under the EU's SAFE programme, which includes interest in Indian cruise missiles and kamikaze drones," the report mentioned.
It noted that while no official sales agreement has been announced by New Delhi or Athens, the BrahMos missile's psychological and tactical deterrent effect has already compelled Ankara to reconsider its security posture.
Last month, a report stated that as India advances on its path to becoming a major arms exporter, the BrahMos missile stands out as a symbol of its growing defence strength. It stressed that expanding expertise in missile manufacture and the increasing outreach, especially in the Global South, are strengthening India's "Defence Atmanirbharta", while elevating its position on the global stage.
According to a report in 'India Narrative', defence exports have emerged as a key foreign policy tool of India as the country seeks to establish itself as a major global player while strengthening its diplomatic influence and global partnerships.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm a bit conflicted here. On one hand, it's great to see India becoming a major arms exporter and using its technology to build strategic partnerships. But on the other hand, selling advanced weapons to Greece, which is a NATO member, could complicate our relations with other NATO countries, especially the US. We need to be careful not to get dragged into regional conflicts that don't directly involve us. Still, it's impressive how far BrahMos has come!
Fascinating geopolitics. As an outsider, it's interesting to see India leveraging its defence industry to counter Turkish influence. The BrahMos is indeed a formidable weapon, and the A2/AD strategy makes sense for Greece. However, using Cyprus as a conduit might create unnecessary complications. Turkey is a key NATO member with a large military, and this could escalate tensions in the region. Diplomacy should also be pursued alongside these moves.
Proud moment for India's defence sector! Atmanirbhar Bharat is not just about self-reliance but also about exporting our capabilities. The fact that our missiles can potentially blind Turkey's S-400 systems is a huge achievement. Turkey has been playing both sides, supporting Pakistan while expecting India to ignore it. This is a smart move—showing that we have options and aren't afraid to use them. Let's hope it strengthens our global standing. 💪
I appreciate the strategic thinking, but are we prepared for the long-term consequences? Turkey has a strong presence in the Mediterranean and also influences Central Asia. This could strain our relations with other countries in the region, like Israel or even Egypt. Also, we need to ensure these deals are transparent and don't lead to unintended proxy wars. That said, the BrahMos is a beauty, and if Greece buys it, it's a win for Indian engineering.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.