Greece buys 24 Dassault Rafale, upgrades 58 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and wants to buy up to 48 F-35 Lightning II fighters

The Greek government this week officially pledged to continue a multibillion-dollar modernisation programme for its armed forces. The Balkan Peninsula country has set its sights on upgrading its fighter aircraft fleet.

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The government's priority is to protect Greece. This was stated by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Minister Kyriakos). The authorities are trying to modernise the armed forces after emerging from the severe financial crisis in 2018.

Greece now invests 3.54% of gross domestic product in defence. This is the highest of any NATO member state. Only Greece, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the United Kingdom have defence spending above 2% of GDP.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis said high defense spending is not going anywhere, despite the long-awaited easing of tensions with Turkey. The Greek prime minister is expected to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Vilnius next week.

Now for the Air Force. Greece is buying two dozen Rafale fighters from French company Dassault Aviation. In addition, the country is upgrading 58 existing American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon jets.

Greece is also awaiting approval from the US to buy F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jets. The potential sale could be approved after the NATO summit in Vilnius on 11-12 July.

Greece wants to order 20 fifth-generation fighter jets with the possibility of buying another 28 aircraft in the future. Stana believes deliveries of the F-35 Lightning II will begin in about five years.

Source: AP News