The consolidation of the FIR (Greek Aviation Map) and the EEZs (those that have already been designated by Israel and Cyprus and Greece's soon to be announced EEZ) -in terms of aerial surveillance and protection of EEZ - is how Greece, Cyprus and Israel intend to respond to the latest Turkish threats that do not want our country to execute its universal right and proclaim its EEZ! Quoting reliable sources, the military news site defencenet said on Thursday that the first round of meetings have already been held about this dynamic new strategy -both on a military and political level- and that very shortly relevant actions in this direction will be made.
An announcement by Minister of National Defence Panos Panagiotopoulos on Christmas Eve, that involves the implementation of an armaments program with interstate agreements and a repayment of weapons on a later date, is directly linked to the complete or partial proclamation of the Greece's EEZ, coupled with a designation of the continental shelf. All these moves coincide with Greece's designs in critical marine areas that concern the the cluster of islands and islets in and around Megisti/Kastelorizo. "We have to be ready to support such a decision," the source added. Aside from the armaments program, the Greek Pentagon's priorities also include frigates, aircraft and air defense systems, etc.
At the same time the Greek government is strengthening its relations with EU member states such as France and Germany so as to confirm their support, while Russia also unreservedly supports Greece's declaration of the EEZ. The US is also said to be positive.
Israel's role is the most significant since Tel Aviv knows that without Cyprus and Greece it will not be able to exploit and promote its natural gas. For this reason, Israel is willing to assist and strengthen the military Greek-Cypriot-Israeli axis, either with aircraft (manned or not), or via EEZ protection systems that have already been developed for this very purpose.
More specifically, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have, among other things, developed a modular system called EZ Guard that can easily monitor marine areas. They have consulted Greek authorities about this device already. IAI is a globally recognized leader in development and production of military and commercial aerospace and defense systems with almost half a century of experience in creating and supplying advanced systems for the Israel Ministry of Defense and for many countries worldwide.
The ELM-2270 is a long-range coastal surveillance system, operating in the HF band for detecting sea surface targets and low flying aircraft that are far beyond the horizon. It's task is to monitor activity within the counter's Exclusive Economic Zone, up to 200 NM from the sea shore. The radar employs a High Frequency (HF) radio waves propagation property to travel parallel to the sea surface. The ELM-2270 EZ GUARD implements the concept of floodlight radar. The system transmits a wide angle beam covering simultaneously 120 deg.in azimuth. The receiving section comprises one or more arrays of vertical antennas that provide simultaneous coverage of the entire sector, employing multiple azimuth beams, formed by the signal processor.
The EZ Guard incorporates the following:
- HF Radar beyond the horizon
- Radar systems and tracking of coasts
- Management and monitoring vessel traffic
- onshore and aerial electronic sensors
- Research satellite systems and rescue aircraft
- Systems SIGINT (ELINT & COMINT)
- Aircraft and naval cooperation Unmanned UAV
- Identification Systems: AIS, SAIS, LRIT (Long Range ID & Tracking)
- Manned and unmanned craft
- Central Network Telecommunications
- Command and Control Center
Aside from all the above which is purely operational, it is quite exciting to also witness the diplomatic aspect of it all. Greece has a DE FACTO recognition of its EEZ even before Athens proclaims it.
Ante me to kalo re paidia!
Ante me to kalo re paidia!
Original article in Greek on defencenet
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