France and Greece have significantly deepened their defense cooperation through the extension of a mutual defense agreement dating back to 2021, along with the signing of several new cooperation agreements. This development marks a pivotal moment in the long-standing strategic partnership between the two nations.
During a recent meeting at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis officially reinforced their alliance. Under the renewed defense pact, which remains effective for another five years and will be automatically extended thereafter, both countries commit to mutual assistance in the face of security threats. Macron assured Mitsotakis during a joint press conference, stating, “Don’t even ask yourself the question; whatever happens, we will be there on your side.” In turn, Mitsotakis lauded France as “Greece’s true ally,” underlining the shared commitment to defense and security.
In addition to the defense treaty, both leaders signed agreements aimed at enhancing collaboration across various sectors, including education, scientific research, and nuclear energy. The significance of these agreements underscores a broader vision of partnership that extends beyond military cooperation.
The visit included a tour of the Hellenic Navy’s FDI frigate at Piraeus port, an event attended not only by the two leaders but also by Defense and Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and Naval Group CEO Pierre-Eric Pommelet. Greece stands as the inaugural export customer for France’s FDI frigate program, being developed by Naval Group, with the first of four Kimon-class frigates to be delivered to the Hellenic Navy in December 2025.
Further solidifying military ties, MBDA, a leading missile systems manufacturer, signed a contract to continue its support services for the MICA missiles during this visit. Greece has been a longstanding partner with MBDA for over five decades, becoming their first client for the Exocet anti-ship missile in 1968. The integration of MICA multi-mission air-to-air missiles into the Hellenic forces—used in conjunction with Mirage 2000-5 and Dassault Rafale fighter jets—highlights Greece’s commitment to modernizing its military capabilities. MBDA’s establishment of a permanent office in Athens in 2023 aims to bolster support for the Hellenic military and local industry.
The discussions between Macron and Mitsotakis also included deliberations on the European Union’s Article 42.7 mutual defense clause alongside NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause. Macron described Article 42.7 as “clear” and devoid of ambiguity, citing recent joint efforts to assist Cyprus following a drone attack on a British airbase during rising tensions related to US-Israel operations in Iran. He emphasized that this makes the EU provision more robust than NATO’s Article 5, which has been the subject of debate, especially in light of perceived instability in US foreign policy.
This strengthened collaboration between France and Greece signals a significant step toward solidifying defense capabilities in response to evolving security challenges in the region. As both nations continue to forge closer ties, they aim to enhance their strategic partnership, ensuring mutual defense and cooperation in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
