This comment first appeared as an editorial in NATO Watch Observatory No.31, April 2012
According to recently-released European Council data on arms licences granted by member states, EU countries sold Greece over €1 billion of arms at the same time as negotiating its first bail-out back in 2010. While France was by far the biggest seller, with €871 million of aircraft, missiles and defence electronics, pro-austerity advocates the Netherlands and Germany together sold almost €90 million of mostly electronics and ground vehicles. An anonymous aide to the then Greek leader, George Papandreou, said, "No one is saying 'Buy our warships or we won't bail you out.' But the clear implication is that they will be more supportive if we do".