Greece plans to purchase 60 riot police buses from Türkiye

Greece plans to purchase 60 new Mercedes-Benz buses manufactured in Türkiye to modernize the fleet of its riot police units, YAT and YMET. The procurement aims to replace aging vehicles, some of which date back to 2003, and improve working conditions for officers during long deployments. The new vehicles are expected to include amenities such as air conditioning, safety-belt-equipped seats, refrigerators, and toilets.

The decision has faced criticism in Greek media, with reports suggesting the purchase directs millions of euros into the Turkish economy despite ongoing political tensions between the two nations. Critics have questioned why the government did not prioritize domestic manufacturers or seek arrangements to source components, such as seats and fittings, from Greek suppliers, particularly given official ambitions to strengthen domestic industrial capabilities.