The Shield of Achilles program, Greece’s comprehensive military modernization, and the country’s strengthened international alliances are creating an environment of visible unease in Turkey, according to former Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) Chief Konstantinos Floros. Speaking on ANT1’s main evening news bulletin, the former Chief of Defence estimated that Greece has become a “very difficult adversary” for Ankara, while also noting that the country already possesses significant air defence capabilities and is not starting from scratch.
Shield of Achilles: “Turkey feels Greece is getting stronger”
Konstantinos Floros described the development of Greece’s unified air defence system as particularly positive, viewing it as one of the key reasons fuelling irritation on the Turkish side. “The development of Greece’s unified air defence system, known as the ‘Shield of Achilles’, is a very positive achievement. I believe this also plays a role in Turkey’s frustration,” he stated.
He clarified, however, that Ankara’s reaction is not solely linked to this specific program. “The entire effort to strengthen Greece, which began in 2020–21, plays a role,” he noted, explaining that today’s strategic planning is the continuation of groundwork laid in previous years. As he emphasized, “Greece’s air defence is based on a study conducted in 2022, which began to be implemented in 2023 and has now taken full shape.”
He also attributed part of Turkey’s irritation to Greece’s growing diplomatic influence. “Turkey’s frustration is clearly due to the fact that it feels Greece is growing stronger — and this is not only in the purely military and defence equipment domain, but also in terms of strengthening relationships with other nations, such as Israel,” he stressed.
Greece as a “very difficult adversary”
The former HNDGS Chief underlined that the new air defence architecture gains particular value when combined with the full spectrum of the country’s military capabilities. He described it as “a complex achievement that, together with the air force and the overall strengthening of the country,” renders Greece “a very difficult adversary for Turkey if it were to attempt anything.”
He also reminded audiences that Greece already operates advanced anti-aircraft systems, including Patriot missiles, for which further support and modernization are expected. As a result, the deployment of the new defence shield adds to an already existing infrastructure and serves as a force multiplier.
Turkey’s longstanding territorial claims
Konstantinos Floros also addressed the possibility of renewed tensions in Greek-Turkish relations, making clear that Ankara has not abandoned its well-known positions. “Turkey has been making claims and has never stopped — it has never stopped talking about the Blue Homeland doctrine and demilitarization,” he noted.
He recalled the period of intense confrontation from 2020 to 2023, pointing out that both the de-escalation that followed and the current revival of aggressive rhetoric are deliberate choices made by Turkey. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in Greece’s deterrent capacity. “Greece can feel secure with the armed forces it has,” he said, adding that “Greece is securing all available options so that, if things escalate, it can respond effectively and defend its national interest.”
