 The initial step in the Greek rearmament program was completed with the purchase of the Italian-built armored cruiser in October 1909.The Ottomans, in turn, purchased two German pre-dreadnought battleships, and , amplifying the naval arms race between the two countries.The Greek Navy attempted to buy two older French battleships, and when that purchase failed to materialize, they tried unsuccessfully to buy a pair of British battleships.