🧭 Overview
Turkey maintains NATO’s second-largest military force, while Greece invests heavily in technologically advanced systems. Geopolitical tension over the Aegean, Cyprus, and the Eastern Mediterranean has shaped the strategic focus of both nations.
🪖 Land Forces
🇹🇷 Turkish Land Forces
- Personnel: ~260,000 active
- Tanks: Leopard 2A4, Leopard 1, M60T Sabra (~2,500)
- Vehicles & Artillery: ACV-15, FNSS Pars, T-155 Fırtına, T-300 MLRS
- Strengths: Domestic manufacturing and depth
🇬🇷 Hellenic Army
- Personnel: ~90,000 active, ~220,000 reserves
- Tanks: Leopard 2A6 HEL, Leopard 2A4, Leopard 1 (~1,200)
- Vehicles & Artillery: M1117 ASVs, PzH 2000, M270 MLRS
- Strengths: Quality tanks, island defense readiness
⚓ Naval Forces
🇹🇷 Turkish Navy
- Personnel: ~45,000
- Fleet: 16 frigates, 10 corvettes, 12 submarines
- Flagship: TCG Anadolu LHD (amphibious assault ship)
- Strengths: Power projection, domestic MILGEM shipbuilding
🇬🇷 Hellenic Navy
- Personnel: ~16,000
- Fleet: 13 frigates, 11 submarines (Type 214), FACs
- Upgrades: Belh@rra-class frigates (from France)
- Strengths: Silent AIP subs, strong NATO interoperability
✈️ Air Forces
🇹🇷 Turkish Air Force
- Combat Aircraft: ~240 F-16s
- AWACS: E-7T Peace Eagle
- UAVs: Bayraktar TB2, Akıncı, Anka
- Programs: TF-X / KAAN 5th-gen fighter (prototype stage)
🇬🇷 Hellenic Air Force
- Combat Aircraft: Rafale F3Rs, F-16 Viper Block 70s
- AWACS: EMB-145 AEW&C
- Air Defense: Patriot PAC-3, S-300 PMU-1 (Crete)
- Upcoming: F-35 program entry under negotiation
📊 Strategic Comparison
| Domain | Advantage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Land Forces | 🇹🇷 Turkey | Larger, more industrialized |
| Naval Power | 🇹🇷 Turkey (scale), 🇬🇷 Greece (sub stealth) | Submarines vs surface ships |
| Air Superiority | 🇬🇷 Greece | Advanced Western jets and munitions |
| Drone Warfare | 🇹🇷 Turkey | Combat-proven UAV arsenal |
| Alliances | 🇬🇷 Greece | Closer ties with EU, France, US |
| Defense Industry | 🇹🇷 Turkey | Strong indigenous development |
🔍 Final Analysis
Turkey holds advantages in size, production capability, and expeditionary strength. Greece counters with modern Western equipment, elite submarine forces, and strong alliances. A conflict would depend heavily on terrain, readiness, and NATO diplomacy to prevent escalation.