Reports indicating that Athens might acquire cutting-edge, long-range strike weapons from New Delhi have sparked unease across Turkish media.
Although neither the Indian nor the Greek government has officially acknowledged talks for a missile deal, the prospect of an evolving defence partnership between the two nations has triggered intense discussions among security analysts in Turkey.
This development comes against the backdrop of growing international interest in India's expanding indigenous weapons exports.
Turkish publications suggest that Greece is actively working to broaden its military ties with India.
This move is largely seen as a countermeasure against Turkey’s own rapidly advancing domestic defence sector and its growing arsenal of missiles.
Observers note that New Delhi is increasingly viewed as a reliable new supplier of sophisticated military technology, providing Athens with valuable options to look beyond its customary Western arms providers.
Much of the recent attention within Greek military circles has reportedly centred on the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM).
Designed and developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)—specifically spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru—this weapon system promises formidable precision strike abilities.
If acquired, experts believe the missile would dramatically upgrade Greece's strategic deterrence across the contested waters of the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Recent reports even suggest that India may have informally showcased its missile capabilities to Greece during the DEFEA defence exhibition in Athens.
Pundits in Turkey assert that the frequency of military talks between Greece and India has noticeably increased over the last year. They claim that during these high-level meetings, Indian representatives shared key details about the LR-LACM platform.
Despite these widespread assertions, the information remains unconfirmed, with both countries maintaining strict official silence on any potential arms trade.
With an operational range of up to 1,500 kilometres, the LR-LACM possesses the reach to fundamentally alter the regional threat landscape.
Should the Hellenic Armed Forces deploy this system, a substantial portion of Turkey's critical military infrastructure would theoretically fall within striking distance.
Turkish media outlets warn that the missile's terrain-hugging, radar-evading flight profile would allow Greece to execute highly accurate strikes on vital targets—such as air defence sites, radar networks, command hubs, and logistics bases—located far beyond the immediate coastal areas.
Consequently, strategic analysts in Turkey argue that adding such long-range cruise missiles to the Greek military inventory would cause a major shift in the balance of power between the two neighbouring NATO allies.
This dynamic could ultimately trigger a faster, more intense arms race and military modernisation drive throughout the region.
What is India’s LR-LACM?
The Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) is a state-of-the-art subsonic cruise missile entirely designed in India by the DRDO.Representing a major leap in India’s long-distance precision strike capabilities, the system evolves from the foundational technologies established during the Nirbhay and Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) projects.
The missile successfully completed its maiden flight test from a mobile articulated launcher off the coast of Odisha in November 2024, proving its advanced waypoint navigation and complex manoeuvre capabilities.
Equipped with an indigenous turbofan engine and advanced avionics, the missile is engineered to be launched from both ground-based mobile platforms and the Universal Vertical Launch Module (UVLM) on naval warships.
This programme is a cornerstone of India’s ongoing mission to build a self-reliant, highly capable conventional strike force, and its growing global appeal highlights the country's rising status as a major player in the global defence market.
