Athens' Bold Gamble
Turkey is Losing its Mind - Here's Why
With Israeli LORA missiles set to reach Greek islands, Ankara now confronts unprecedented vulnerability, a move that could spark a dangerous new chapter in Eastern Mediterranean rivalry.
Greece's government is planning an unprecedented strategic move to bolster its deterrence capabilities amid escalating tensions with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. According to reports from Greek outlet Banking News and defense sites like World Defense News, Athens is examining the procurement of LORA ground-to-ground ballistic missile systems produced by Israel's Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI/MLM Division).
The deployment of LORA systems on Aegean islands and in the Eastern Mediterranean is part of a comprehensive plan to upgrade Greece's standoff weapons arsenal. Greek military experts estimate that integrating LORA missiles into service will provide a direct and effective counter to Turkey's missile inventory, particularly systems like the BORA or TAYFUN, creating a reliable counter-deterrence.
The LORA missile, first showcased at an exhibition in Athens last year, is a tactical and strategic weapon with exceptionally high precision.
The Israeli Connection: Strengthening the Strategic Axis
The intent to acquire the LORA system reflects the deepening and robust security ties between Greece and Israel. If completed, this purchase would join previous deals that solidify the bilateral defense axis.In December 2025, the Hellenic Parliament approved the acquisition of advanced PULS rocket launchers from Elbit Systems in a major deal estimated at €650 million. The LORA missile purchase from Israel Aerospace Industries adds another layer to enhancing Greece's "smart weapons" capabilities through Israeli technology, aimed at achieving effective deterrence and regional stability.
This move, coordinated directly with IAI, points to Athens' pivot toward Israeli defense innovations amid a shifting Eastern Mediterranean landscape. As tensions with Ankara simmer, fueled by disputes over maritime boundaries and energy resources, LORA's island-based deployments could dramatically alter the balance, giving Greece a symmetric deep-strike edge for the first time.
Initial deliveries are slated for 2026, aligning with Greece's 2025–2036 defense roadmap.
For Turkey, the prospect of LORA batteries just kilometers from its coast, capable of hitting high-value targets with pinpoint accuracy, spells a new era of vulnerability, potentially accelerating an already heated arms race in the Aegean.