Trump's F-35 offer to Turkey alarms Greece, Athens warns of Aegean military imbalance

President Donald Trump's potential offer to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey has sparked significant concern in Greece, a NATO ally that fears the move could upset the military balance in the Aegean Sea. Athens views such a sale as potentially rewarding Ankara despite years of friction between the two countries.

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The Hellenic Air Force wants to keep its air superiority over the Aegean.

Greece is slated to receive its first 20 F-35 fighter aircraft between 2028 and the early 2030s, making the stealth jet a cornerstone of its future air force. Vassilis Nedos, diplomatic and defense correspondent for Kathimerini, stated that "The Hellenic Air Force wants to keep its air superiority over the Aegean," and "The possibility of Turkey acquiring F-35s is certainly not a welcome one."

While Greek officials have not commented publicly on the potential F-35 deal, Nedos indicated that Athens has consistently voiced its concerns to successive U.S. administrations. "The opinions of the Greek government are very well known to the U.S. government," he said. "Greece cannot interfere directly because this is ultimately a discussion between two sovereign nations, the United States and Turkey, but Greece has certainly raised its concerns."

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The possibility of Turkey acquiring F-35s is certainly not a welcome one.

These concerns stem from a history of military confrontations. Nedos recalled frequent overflights and dangerous dogfights in the Aegean before 2023. He questioned, "Why give a qualitative edge to the Turkish Air Force?" adding that these arguments are well-understood by the American administration at political, diplomatic, and military levels.

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The opinions of the Greek government are very well known to the U.S. government.

Amid uncertainty over Turkey's potential return to the F-35 program, Greece is advancing a major defense modernization effort, with substantial backing from Israel. The Greek government is expected to approve the "Achilles Shield" integrated air defense network, which will utilize systems from Israeli defense companies. This €3.5 billion project includes anti-drone, anti-ballistic-missile, and broader air defense capabilities.

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Greece cannot interfere directly because this is ultimately a discussion between two sovereign nations, the United States and Turkey, but Greece has certainly raised its concerns.