Greek authorities are dissatisfied with Turkish drone maker Baykar’s recent deal to acquire Italian aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aerospace and are preparing an official protest, Greek media reported.
At the same time, according to journalists, Athens is also questioning the possible sale to Ankara of Meteor missiles produced by the European consortium MBDA.
Greece intends to challenge the approval of the sale of Piaggio Aerospace to Turkey’s Baykar, arguing that Rome circumvented European rules by failing to notify its EU partners.
The allegation was made by Greek daily Kathimerini and Italian news agency Ansa. The acquisition deal was approved at the end of 2024, and a preliminary contract between Baykar and Piaggio Aerospace for the transfer of production facilities was signed in January.Piaggio Aerospace is best known as a manufacturer of aircraft engines and P.180 Avanti business jets, also called Air Ferraris.
The company also plays a strategic role in Italy’s defence industry through its aircraft maintenance and overhaul services.Piaggio Aerospace has been under state external administration since 2018, since filing for protection from creditors.
Italy’s industry ministry said Baykar’s offer to buy the company was preferable to two other bids from international players. The ministry said the decision was deemed “the most appropriate to safeguard the interests of Piaggio Aerospace’s employees and creditors and revive the group’s industrial prospects.”
However, according to media reports, Greek officials insist that European defence co-operation must be transparent, especially when it concerns Turkey.
Special meeting at the Paris summit
Turkey, a NATO member, has significantly strengthened its defence industry in recent years, reducing its reliance on imports and advancing the development and production of its own products, the ministry included “This reinforces Greece’s concerns about uncontrolled European defence deals with Ankara,” the Kathimerini newspaper noted.
Speaking at the AI summit in Paris on Monday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed the convergence of their positions on Eastern Mediterranean issues, as well as their common approach to the latest developments in the Middle East, with a special focus on Syria.
During the meeting, which lasted about an hour, the leaders also discussed strengthening strategic cooperation, with Mitsotakis raising the issue of the possible sale of Meteor missiles to Turkey with the French president for the second time in a few days.
Macron reiterated to Mitsotakis Paris commitment to the Franco-Greek strategic partnership as well as to ensuring Greece’s security.
