Flash News: Greece Bolsters Naval Defense with Purchase of 16 French Exocet Anti-Ship Missiles.

On Monday, April 14, 2025, Greece signed a new defense contract with France for the procurement of 16 Exocet MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles. The agreement was officially signed in Athens by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and his French counterpart, Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu. The signing took place during an official visit by the French delegation, highlighting the deepening strategic relationship between the two nations.
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A French-made Exocet MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missile is launched from a naval warship during a live-fire exercise. (Picture source: MBDA)

This new acquisition is part of Greece’s ongoing and comprehensive defense modernization initiative, a €25 billion investment plan set to run through 2036. The program aims to enhance the operational readiness and deterrence capabilities of the Hellenic Armed Forces through the integration of advanced weapon systems, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence technologies. The purchase of the Exocet missiles adds to a series of recent defense procurements from France, including 24 Dassault Rafale fighter jets and three Belharra-class (FDI) frigates, with negotiations underway for a possible fourth frigate and additional cruise missile capabilities.

The Exocet MM40 Block 3C represents the latest evolution in MBDA’s renowned Exocet anti-ship missile family. The Block 3C variant features significant improvements in range, guidance, and target discrimination. With a strike range exceeding 200 kilometers, the missile is powered by a solid-propellant booster and a turbojet sustainer engine, enabling over-the-horizon engagements against surface threats. One of its key attributes is the advanced GPS-INS navigation system combined with an enhanced active radar seeker, which increases resistance to countermeasures and ensures high accuracy even in complex electronic warfare environments.

Designed for versatility, the MM40 Block 3C can be launched from a variety of platforms, including naval surface ships, coastal batteries, and mobile land-based launchers, offering flexible deployment options for the Hellenic Navy and other branches of the Greek armed forces. In combat scenarios, the Exocet missile is known for its sea-skimming trajectory, which reduces radar detection and allows it to strike with high precision. It has been used in several conflicts worldwide, demonstrating effectiveness in disabling or sinking enemy vessels even in contested maritime zones.

During the signing ceremony, Minister Dendias reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to strengthening its defense posture in response to regional tensions, particularly with Turkey. “Greece does not threaten, but is threatened,” he stated, underlining the importance of credible deterrence in maintaining national sovereignty and security. He also described the meeting as “sincere,” emphasizing the shared democratic values and strategic alignment between Greece and France.

The bilateral defense ties between Greece and France have grown substantially over recent years. A pivotal moment came in 2021 with the signing of a mutual defense cooperation agreement, which includes a clause for military assistance in the event of an attack on either nation. This pact marked a significant shift in regional security arrangements, solidifying France as a key European ally for Greece amid growing geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Minister Lecornu’s visit also included a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and a tour of the French Navy's FREMM-class frigate Alsace, currently docked at the port of Piraeus. The presence of the Alsace further symbolizes France’s commitment to regional maritime security and the interoperability of Franco-Hellenic naval forces.

In a closely related development, on April 11, 2025, Greece unveiled an ambitious new defense procurement plan that outlines nearly €19 billion in projected spending through 2036. Speaking before Parliament’s Special Standing Committee on Armament Programs and Contracts, Minister Dendias emphasized that modernizing oversight mechanisms is just as vital as acquiring new military assets. He announced that the Ministry of Defence will reinforce its Internal Affairs Service, including a revision of the existing presidential decree regulating its operations. This initiative aims to strengthen internal checks and balances within the Armed Forces, particularly among departments involved in procurement processes, ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of the defense investment strategy.

This new missile contract and the broader financial commitment to defense signify Greece's determination to modernize its armed forces and enhance its deterrent capabilities. With an increasingly complex security landscape in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece is positioning itself as a cornerstone of NATO’s southeastern flank while reinforcing strategic ties with key European allies such as France.