India's "unofficial offering" of S400-evading cruise missile to Greece shakes Turkey

India's alleged offer to supply its Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) to Greece has triggered alarm in Turkish media, which has described the move as a security threat. The report, published by Turkish news outlet TRHaber, claims that India is "unofficially offering" the missile to Greece, linking the move to Turkey's support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. However, there has been no official confirmation from New Delhi or Athens on this development.

Turkey worried about LR-LACM
According to TRHaber, the LR-LACM presents operational challenges for Turkish defense systems due to its range, precision, and ability to fly at low altitudes. The missile, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has a reported range between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometers and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. It uses a terrain-hugging flight path to reduce detectability, drawing comparisons to U.S. Tomahawk and Russian Kalibr cruise missiles.

The missile can be launched from mobile articulated launchers and vertical launch systems fitted on over 30 Indian Navy ships. TRHaber also claimed that the missile’s capability to evade air defense systems such as Turkey’s S-400 has raised Ankara’s concerns, especially if deployed by Greece.

Maiden flight-test of Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) was conducted today from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. During the test, all sub-systems performed as per expectation and met the primary mission objectives pic.twitter.com/JnJAA4Fy7n

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) November 12, 2024

Speculation over India-Greece defense engagement
The missile offer claims have emerged amid signs of deepening defense cooperation between India and Greece. Last month, Indian Air Force Wing Commander A. P. Singh visited Athens and met with the Greek Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant General (P) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis. While no official statement confirmed any discussion on the LR-LACM, India did showcase the missile during the DEFEA-25 defense exhibition in Athens.

TRHaber linked India’s alleged outreach to Greece to Turkey’s reported support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The report claimed that Turkey had provided Islamabad with drones, personnel, and a warship during the operation.

Claims of tactical intelligence interest
The Turkish news outlet also alleged that the Greek Air Force is seeking intelligence on India’s combat tactics from Operation Sindoor, particularly regarding the use of Rafale fighter jets. The report suggested that Greece may use the data to design realistic training scenarios in anticipation of future air engagements with Turkish forces.

Broader strategic dimensions
TRHaber tied the reported missile offer to India's wider regional engagement, referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to Greece in 2023 and Cyprus in 2025. The report interpreted these diplomatic efforts as signs of a trilateral cooperation involving India, Greece, and Cyprus to counter Turkish influence in the Eastern Mediterranean. It further claimed that such alignment could increase Indian naval activity near Cypriot ports.

No official confirmation
However, as of now, there is no official confirmation from Indian or Greek authorities regarding the alleged missile transfer or the strategic motives attributed by Turkish media. The claims remain speculative and are based entirely on TRHaber’s reporting.