Greece to purchase Rafale fighter jets, F35s amid escalating tensions with Turkey

Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported that Athens was looking to buy French Rafale fighter jets and American F-35s, as part of efforts to intensify its defense plans, amid escalating tensions with neighboring Turkey.

The newspaper confirmed that the Greek Ministry of Defense also has plans to purchase more UAVs and UAV response systems, possibly within 2021.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos already has a proposal ready for the United States to acquire six fifth-generation F-35 fighters, which could be delivered to Greece within 2021.

Athens will implement the plan to acquire another 18 new aircraft of this type in time, ending up with the Hellenic Air Force with a total of 24 F-35s.

As for the supply of French Rafale aircraft, the issue is expected to be presented to Parliament in December, and at the same time, the first six aircraft are expected to be used in the first half of 2021.

These plans come amid simmering tensions between Greece and Turkey over gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean, as Turkey sent ships to conduct seismic research, which led to an escalation of the dispute with Greece.

Turkey had wanted to acquire US F-35 fighter jets, but was expelled from the program after purchasing Russian S-400 missile defense systems, which the United States and its NATO allies consider incompatible with the alliance's systems.

T/S

ANHA