Greek Leader Pledges Military Boost Amid Tension With Turkey

  • French-made Rafale jet fighters are part of Mitsotakis plan
  • Prime minister also unveils $8 billion pandemic aid package

Emmanuel Macron welcomes Kyriakos Mitsotakis for the plenary session of the seventh MED7 Mediterranean countries summit , on Sept. 10.

Photographer: Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images

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Greece will buy French jet fighters to strengthen its military and spend an extra 6.8 billion euros ($8 billion) to counter an economic slump brought on by the virus pandemic, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

The premier announced a set of 12 measures, including a further reduction of social-security contributions for companies and employees, while also vowing to protect Greece amid growing tension with Turkey over energy exploration.