The new Turkish-Libyan agreement and a possible challenge from Turkey in the south of Crete brought to the fore again the discussions among the “Pentagon” staffs for further reinforcement of the Greek Armed Forces in the Megalonis.
OF MANOS CHARALAMPAKI – SOURCE: THE NEWS – [Μετατροπή σε κείμενο: ]
Under the recent data, the acceleration of the interventions in Crete that have already been decided by the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff and the other Staffs cannot be ruled out so that there is a rapid deployment of forces and a dynamic response if required.
One of the moves that have been “locked in” is the creation of a base of helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) at Heraklion Airport, near the old military air base of the Air Force (formerly 126 Squadron). With the helicopter base of the Army Aviation, the Staffs seek to have both a rapid reaction and transfer of forces in case it is needed, but also more effective control with the “flying” spies, the UAV’s. In particular, according to what the plan foresees, the base will have all types of helicopters, namely Chinook, Kiowa, Apache, NH-90, while Black Hawk is not excluded in the future if they are acquired by the USA. Unmanned aircraft will also be stationed at the base, those already available to the Armed Forces and possibly new ones that will be acquired.
At the same time, the political and military leadership is determined to move forward with the planning for the creation of a second sea station, similar to Salamis, in Souda. “Is it possible with what is happening in the south-eastern Mediterranean that we do not go to the creation of a second sea level, equivalent to Salamis, in Souda?” a top military source had confided in “NEA”. The goal is to have a 2nd base in Souda with dozens of ships. Interventions are also being considered to strengthen electronic surveillance by installing relevant means in Lasithi.
Also, with the current Ankara-Washington relations, the American base in Souda, where the aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush sailed yesterday, could offer additional support to Greece.
The way for exploration and mining by vessels of the Turkish state company TRAO in the entire field that – according to the illegal Turkish-Libyan memorandum on the definition of the EEZ – belongs to Libya, is opened with the new pact co-signed by Ankara and Tripoli. According to the full text of the agreement presented by “Jumhuriyet” yesterday, it is foreseen that the National Oil Company of Libya may enter into agreements with the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) for the exploration, extraction and production of oil in Libyan territory and Libyan waters.
According to the new memorandum, TPAO’s research vessels and drilling rigs can operate in Libya, “in areas where oil is currently being extracted, as well as conduct oil exploration and production activities in new areas in Libya on land and at sea.”
