Bad news for Turkey’s Erdogan, setback for India as Greece opts to acquire Israeli PULS rocket launchers instead of Indian Pinaka system
Greece is planning to deploy the PULS launchers in the Evros region and several major islands on the eastern Aegean due to strategic reasons.
In a major challenge for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s crusade to establish Turkey’s hegemony over the its smaller neighboring countries, Greece has inked a deal to acquire as many as 38 Israeli-made PULS (Precise and Universal Launching System) rocket launchers to boost its military’s offensive capabilities.
The arms deal with Israel, which comes amid rising tensions with Turkey, includes launchers, command batteries, precision-guided missiles along with training and maintenance services, reports said.
Notably, the Greece-Israel weapons deal is also a setback for India as the Greece Defense Ministry had also considered the Indian Pinaka system, and the US-made M270 MLRS, but eventually settled on acquiring Israel’s PULS launchers.
As per reports, Greece is planning to deploy the PULS launchers in the Evros region and several major islands on the eastern Aegean due to strategic reasons. Evros shares a common border with Turkey and has been a focus of security and migration concerns, which led to Greece strengthening its border security, including increases patrolling, and expansion of the border fence.
The eastern Aegean Islands bear strategic importance for Greece as they are located near the Turkish coastline and are important from a maritime surveillance point-of-view.
Greece and Israel have deepened their defence ties in past few years, with the former signing a $1.65 billion deal with Israel’s Elbit Systems to establish and operate a flight training centre for the Greek air force for 22 years. The centre will include 10 M-346 training aircraft, simulators and logistics support.
Additionally, Greece has also bought Spike anti-tank missiles from Israel for $400 million and the two countries are currently negotiating a $2 billion deal to develop an anti-aircraft and missile defence system similar to Israel’s Iron Dome.
PULS Rocket System capabilities
Developed by Israel’s Elbit Systems, the Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) is a highly advanced multi-caliber rocket artillery system designed for maximum flexibility, featuring support for a range of rocket calibers, which enables operators to choose different munitions based on requirements of a particular mission.
The PULS can fire, 122 mm rockets with 40 km range, 160 mm rockets with 45 km range, 306 mm rockets with 150 km range. Additional, it can also fire heavy rockets and missiles the EXTRA and Predator Hawk, which have a range of over 300 km.
