Greece today formally approved the purchase of 20 North American F-35 combat aircraft, as part of a vast investment in the defense sector, official officials said.
“The form accepting the purchase of F-35s has been signed and sent to the United States,” said Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, during a visit to an Air Force military base on the outskirts of Athens.
This acquisition, he pointed out, will allow “a powerful deterrent presence”.
The delivery of the fifth generation of fighters produced by Lockheed Martin is scheduled from 2028, and when Greece maintains the additional option of purchasing another 20 F-35s as part of a deal valued at 8.6 billion dollars (7 .93 billion euros).
The purchase of the first 20 combat aircraft, accompanied by additional equipment, will cost 3.5 billion dollars (3.2 billion euros).
Greece has launched a modernization program for its Armed Forces that is expected to last for a decade, following a serious financial crisis and ongoing tensions with Turkey, its neighbor and NATO ally, in particular due to the dispute over volatile maritime borders.
Turkey was excluded from the F-35 program five years ago after acquiring the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system, with the United States arguing that it could compromise NATO’s security.
In Athens, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis described the current military modernization campaign as the most significant “in many decades.”
“We will continue with this vast program, equipping our country and strengthening its defenses”, stressed Marinakis.
Athens seeks to gain air superiority following Turkey’s exclusion from F-35 purchases, and has also acquired modern French Rafale fighter jets.
Deliveries to the Greek Air Force began in 2021, using combat aircraft already used by France and which will be reinforced by new aircraft built by the French company Dassault Aviation.
In January, the US State Department approved the sale that could eventually reach 40 F-35s, in addition to 42 engines and various equipment that includes communications systems, electronic systems, training, logistics and maintenance.
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