The Greek government has formalised its decision to procure 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft, with an option for 20 more, through a U.S. government Foreign Military Sale, according to a press release.
This acquisition marks Greece as the 19th nation to join the F-35 program. Air Force Lt.
Gen. Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer of the F-35 Joint Program Office, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are excited to welcome Greece into the F-35 enterprise. The F-35 will provide exceptional capability to the Hellenic Air Force, build interoperability between our allies and strengthen the combat effectiveness for all of NATO,” as quoted in the news release.
Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of the F-35 programme, Bridget Lauderdale, also highlighted the significance of the deal.
“For several decades, the Hellenic Air Force has been our partner, and it is our honour to continue that relationship as Greece becomes the 19th nation to join the F-35 program. The F-35 is the only fighter suitable to strengthen Greece’s sovereignty and operational capability with allies,” Lauderdale said in the press release.
The F-35 is rapidly becoming the NATO standard fighter say the company, enhancing interoperability with NATO and other allied forces. By the 2030s, over 600 F-35s will be operational across more than 10 European countries, including two full U.S. squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath.
Mara Motherway, Lockheed Martin vice president of Strategy and Business Development, noted, “The F-35’s growing presence across Europe is a powerful testament of alliance-based deterrence and is setting the foundation for NATO and allied nations’ next generation air power capability,” according to the press release.
The press release underscores the strategic importance of the F-35 in deterring threats and ensuring regional stability. The advanced capabilities of the F-35, including its role in the evolving battlespace, make it a critical asset for Greece and NATO.
Currently, the F-35 operates from 32 bases worldwide, with nearly 1,000 aircraft in service and over 860,000 flight hours accumulated. In addition to the F-35s, the Hellenic Armed Forces operate a variety of other aircraft, including F-16s, C-130s, and Hawk helicopters.
Funny that the author didn’t mention in the last sentence any french assets in greek air force although they have mirage and rafale
At some point they have to start cutting types otherwise the maintenance and spares tail is going to become crazy.
I’d have thought Mirage was getting a bit long in the tooth now?
Greece has a policy of operating different aircraft from different countries for strategic reasons, just like many other countries like UAE, Qatar, etc…
they are gradually replacing Mirage 2000 with Rafale, currently in talks to procure 6 more Rafale.
they are also starting to gradually replace F16 with F35
rhese replacements consist of batch orders over years, decades. depending on how much life is left on individual airframes. Greece just cannot afford to replace all its inventory at once.
Some are pretty old but others were some of the last built and they are the Storm Shadow carriers.
And we all sit and wonder where our new chancellor is going to find £20 billion in cuts 🤞🏻
Can’t argue with Greece’s resolve and it’s one in the eye for their neighbours, I’d expect a purchase of JSM next !
As for their older planes the F4’s and Older Mirage 2000s are due to go (Mirages to India ??). The newer Mirage 2000’s will stay around a while as they and the Rafale carry the SCALP / Storm Shadow missiles.
they’ll be waiting a long time for them.
Greece also tended to purchase aircraft that Turkey wasn’t operating, just to gain an edge
Well Turkey has it’s own air superiority 5 Gen Kaan aircraft project which will replace most of its aircraft. Besides it has Kizilema stealth fighter drone and Anka 3 stealth bomber .. so the Turks will have the advantage of producing theirs in larger numbers in the hundreds. Besides they have long range Siper air defence system which can detect the F35 which Turkey until recently was part of and handled it’s material. As some assumed they would share with the Russians.. but Turkey would never share such sensitive tech as it wants to dominate the black sea and see… Read more »
Perfect response👍
Good point, the days when Turkey was dependent on import of other county’s aircraft are over although being locked out of the F35 program is a disadvantage