ATHENS – Greece is taking no chances during its rapprochement with Turkey, continuing to build an arsenal of more warships and fighter jets, hoping to acquire American F-35s, while maintaining an army of tanks that have proven vulnerable to drones.

In a review of Greece’s military stance for the conservative American site The National Interest, defense journalist Stavros Atlamazoglou noted that Greece has more than 850 main battle tanks, including advanced models like the German-made Leopards.

But why so many, as the model for warfare in the electronic age is shifting away from the warhorse of World War II, especially with more anti-tank weapons, including those from the skies, which make them prime targets?

The piece noted that this is still largely driven by the volatility of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has shown he can switch from diplomacy to belligerence when it suits him.

It also stated that Greece’s tank fleet reflects a broader strategy of balancing military acquisitions between the United States and Europe, with Greece looking to keep older tanks serviceable despite never having been in combat.

“The Hellenic Army sports more main battle tanks than the French and British militaries combined,” the review said, and not just older tanks “that wouldn’t survive 10 minutes on the modern battlefield.”

“Greece has hundreds of MBTs (Main Battle Tanks) that could take on the most advanced tanks in the world,” the piece added, ready to defend Greek soil if war ever came, with Turkey the most likely aggressor, as Erdogan once boasted.

While both countries belong to NATO, Turkey has undermined the defense alliance by buying Russian-made S-400 missile defenses that could also be used against Greece in a conflict. The tanks are considered a defense against any Turkish aggression, the report stated.

“The two countries have clashed, directly or indirectly, several times in the past 100 years. The legitimate concern of Turkish pugnacity has forced Greece to invest heavily in tanks,” the analysis concluded.

The Hellenic Army has 170 Leopard 2A6 HEL, 180 Leopard 2A4/GR, and 500 Leopard 1 A5/GR tanks in active service, as well as some 400 M48A5 MOLF and 100 M60A3 tanks in reserve, some of which will be sold for scrap.

The Leopard 2A6 HEL, which stands for “Hellenic,” is one of the most advanced versions of the German-made Leopard MBT and was made specifically for Greece. The Leopard 2A4/GR is a highly capable armored vehicle that can thrive on the modern battlefield, the review also noted.

The Leopard 1 A5/GR remains a valid choice but will require upgrades to remain competitive in the long term, the report said, adding that the army is exploring options for these tanks after 30 years of service.

While a decision hasn’t been made, Greece is considering new engines, reinforced suspensions, new fire control systems, new day/night gun sights, and anti-drone technology.

Greece has relied heavily on acquiring weapons from the US, primarily the F-16, but has also purchased French Rafale fighter jets and warships. Additionally, Greece has a mutual defense deal with France and has renewed a military cooperation agreement with the United States.