A particularly important intervention by Lieutenant General (retd) Ioannis Baltzoi on the OPEN TV morning news show did not go unnoticed by the Turkish media.
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the president of the Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies participated in the show along with journalist Panagiotis Katsaros and analyzed the geopolitical developments that followed the NATO Summit in Ankara.
At the center of the discussion was Turkey's desire to return to the American F-35 fighter program, following statements by United States President Donald Trump regarding the possible lifting of CAATSA sanctions.
Mr. Baltzoi explained why Ankara insists on acquiring even the six F-35s for which it has already paid money. According to his assessment, the Turkish plan is not limited to the operational use of the aircraft.
Turkey, as he claimed, seeks to study the advanced technology of the F-35 and F-16 Viper, utilizing methods reverse engineering reverse engineering, in order to transfer know-how to its own fighter aircraft and to its other national armament programs, most notably the fifth-generation fighter KAAN.
This particular statement seems to have disturbed, but at the same time mobilized, the Turkish media. Haber7 extensively presented the analysis of the Greek Lieutenant General, with the title:
"Claim of Greek retired general Baltzoi a the F-35: Η Turkey will construct ensures own aircraft via reverse engineering».
The Turkish publication reproduced the relevant television excerpt and focused in particular on the assessment that Ankara wants to follow a strategy similar to that implemented by China in previous decades: to acquire foreign technology, study it and then adapt it to its own defense constructions.
“They don’t want the F-35 just to fly,” Mr. Baltzoi said. “The programs they are looking to develop are linked to KAAN and other similar projects. They want to apply reverse engineering.”
Haber7's extensive report and the numerous comments from Turkish users under the video prove that Greek strategic analyses are closely watched in Turkey — especially when they touch the core of the long-term plans of the Turkish defense industry.
Ο axis Turkey, Catarrh and Pakistan
During his televised intervention, Mr. Baltzoi also referred to the strategic cooperation between Greece and Israel and Turkey's moves to create its own geopolitical axis.
As he underlined, Ankara has already formed a strong framework of cooperation with Qatar and Pakistan, which is not limited to diplomacy, but extends to defense, technology and the production of weapons systems.
Greek cooperation with Israel therefore acquires particular strategic importance in a period in which the balances in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East are changing rapidly.
Η quality of Greek military staff
Particular mention was also made of the quality, training and high sense of responsibility of the Hellenic Air Force officers.
Mr. Baltzoi cited as a typical example the Greek captain who, despite the serious damage to the F-16 Viper he was piloting, did not abandon the aircraft. He managed to land it without the landing gear, protecting his life but also a state-of-the-art fighter of enormous economic and operational value.
This incident is not just a demonstration of flying ability. It highlights the composure, training, determination and sense of duty of the Greek pilots.
The power of a country is not measured solely by the number of aircraft or the technology it possesses. It is also measured by the quality of the people called upon to operate them and defend the homeland.
When η Greek analysis is done tidings At Turkey
The coverage of Ioannis Baltzoi's intervention by Turkish television and Turkish news networks has its own significance.
It shows that authoritative Greek voices are being heard across borders and that analyses based on military knowledge and geopolitical experience can provoke public debate even on the other side of the Aegean.
When an analysis is so disturbing, reproduced, and commented on so intensely by another country's media, it means that it touched on an issue that is considered crucial to its strategic plans.
View ensures video and ensures Turkish publication:
Greek News & Radio FL
The Greek voice of information and the Greek diaspora
radio.greekradiofl.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7TPjhDSQJw
photo Greek News FL
