Security alliances declared out of nowhere are currently booming - this is not only due to the end of contact and exit restrictions during the pandemic, but perhaps more to the global power shifts that can no longer be denied. Following the failure of the submarine deal with Australia, the ball is now in France's court. Paris has rediscovered an old ally that is in need of a comprehensive overhaul of its navy: Greece. During the conflict over natural gas reserves in the north-eastern Mediterranean two years ago, France was the only EU state to send two frigates to the area to support Greece against Turkey. Thankfully, with its order of 24 Rafale fighter aircraft from Dassault at the beginning of the year, Greece is the first EU nation to rely on French technology in this defence segment. As the Naval Group's shipbuilding capacities have also just now become available and a tender for four frigates was still open in Athens, a 3 billion euro letter of intent was agreed without further ado for the purchase of three French-designed frigates - with the option for a fourth. These are the FDI (Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention) of the BELHARRA type, often spelt with an at sign. Lockheed Martin and TkMS lost out in the finalised bidding process. French President Emanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrapped up this "deal" in gallant side-swipes towards Germany, which is very hesitant in security matters, in mutual Franco-Greek commitments "beyond the EU and NATO" and in clear finger-pointing against no particular country, when everyone knows that this could mean the eastern neighbour. A new security alliance as the "first bold step towards European strategic autonomy". If you want to make money, you can't do without strong words!
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