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Belharra in the Aegean: Turkish Press Expresses Suspicion

Published January 16, 2026, 10:23
Belharra in the Aegean: Turkish Press Expresses Suspicion

The Turkish press views the inclusion of the first Belharra frigate in the Greek Navy as part of a broader strategy of arms escalation by Greece, particularly after the Oruc Reis crisis in 2020. Turkish media express suspicion and highlight the cost of the program (14.5 billion euros for four frigates) as evidence of a systematic effort to strengthen the military. Various Turkish outlets, such as CNN Türk, Sabah, and Hürriyet, present this move as a challenge and a shift in the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean. Sabah emphasizes French support for Greece, while Hürriyet notes that the delivery of the frigate is only the first step in a wider series of deliveries. The Turkish press links the acquisition of the Belharra to the political and strategic situation in the region, emphasizing the need for vigilance. They also mention the criticism leveled against Greece for potentially manipulating the Eurovision vote, indicating a broader distrust of Athens. Overall, the Turkish perspective presents the Belharra not merely as a technical achievement, but as a symbol of Greece's strategic direction, aimed at strengthening its position in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.