Greece's High Military Spending: Turkey Tensions Drive Defense Budget | JQJO

Greece, despite its sunny image, is a top NATO defense spender, allocating 3.1% of its GDP to the military in 2024, surpassed only by the US, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia. This significant expenditure stems from long-standing tensions with Turkey, encompassing historical conflicts and territorial disputes, particularly concerning Greek islands near the Turkish coast. While Greece invests heavily in advanced weaponry, experts highlight weaknesses in its domestic defense industry and military readiness. This substantial spending, however, strengthens Greece's geopolitical standing within NATO and its relationships with key arms suppliers like the US and France.