The GES decisively responds to the Turkish absurdity – How the Chief, Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis, methodically and decisively has made the islands “lobsters” and Evros “an impregnable fortress”.
While some critics of the keyboard criticize the political and military leadership’s handling of the deployment of tanks to Ukraine, even talking about partial demilitarization, the Army gives its own indirect answer.
Without beating the drums, with a plan, methodical and knowledge of the needs, the GEETHA and the GES equip the “backbone” of the Armed Forces by offering important solutions to the Units located throughout the disputed zone of the Greek-Turkish border.
“Those who talk about demilitarization are obviously ignorant. The units are there and not only they are not weakened, but they are strengthened”, a senior military source emphasizes to Newsbomb.gr, adding that those who argue that monstrous tanks should be on the islands, should also think about the ways of their movement on the narrow roads of the islands.
The General Staff of the Army clearly knows better than anyone how our borders should be protected, whether it is the land borders on the Evros or our islands. The movement of the M1117 armored wheeled reconnaissance vehicles to the islands of the Eastern Aegean is therefore not at all accidental, with the Chief of the GES, Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousi finding that the defense of the islands requires small and agile vehicles that can carry heavy weapons and at the same time transport fast staff. In contrast obviously to heavy tracked tanks, which to operate effectively need large areas and space to move with ease.
Already dozens of M1117s are on the islands and the Evros, creating a moving wall with multiple response capabilities. The M1117s have been equipped with radios, as well as armament, with Army personnel ‘loading’ them with machine guns to meet any eventuality that may arise in the critical border area. In fact, because as we have mentioned, the tender for the reinforcement with weapon systems of the M1117 will be completed in the second year, the vehicles that are already operating have been fitted with radios and also machine guns from the reserve of the Army. However, the process for arming and spare parts for the M1117s is ongoing and very soon they will acquire even more advanced weapon systems.
We point out that the condition of the M1117s is very good and from the first moment they offer valuable and multi-level services in Evros and the Aegean islands, with military sources stressing that the M1117s constitute a mobile “shield” along the entire length of the Greek-Turkish border, capable to act in every field.
However, as we mentioned, our country is constantly ready in case any opportunity arises from the US Army’s stockpile of weapons systems and means that are of interest to the Armed Forces. According to information, after securing the approval of the USA, it is expected to proceed very soon with the free allocation of AAV7A1 amphibious armored vehicles from the American stocks, to cover the needs of the 32nd Marine Brigade.
The contacts are at a very advanced level and in fact, it is not a small number of amphibious armored vehicles, with the information talking about about 75 AAV7A1, which our country will receive through the same process as the supply of the M1117.
These AAV7A1s are in very good condition and fully operational. Each AAV7 can carry up to 25 Marines, can float in sea state 5, and can also travel 20 nautical miles through water, allowing the tanker not to come close to shore and come under fire. At the same time, it is capable of continuing inland after reaching the coast.
