Greece receives first 2 of its 83 upgraded F-16 fighter jets from US

Europe, News, US September 13, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) received a delivery of 2 upgraded F-16 Viper jets on September 12, at Tanagra Airbase in Greece. Greece would receive 83 F-16 jets under its $1.5 billion military modernization program.

Two jets were present during the induction ceremony at Tanagra Airbase. U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis and head of Greece’s Joint Chiefs of Staff General Constantinos Floros attended the handover ceremony. The two F-16 Viper jets would be used as the training aircraft for HAF. Greece plans to induct at least six F-16 jets into its fleet by the end of 2022.

After coming out of the 2010-2018 financial crisis, Greece has embarked on a multi-billion dollar journey to modernize its military capabilities. Athens is also negotiating to buy French-made Rafale fighter jets and FDI frigates and plans to purchase F-35 fighters from the U.S.

The $1.5 billion F-16 upgradation deal spans eight years until HAF would receive all 83 of its new F-16 fighter jets. Overall, Greece plans to spend $10 billion in a span of 35 years on the procurement and development of modern military aircraft.

U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis said during the ceremony that “Greece’s F-16 Vipers will immediately enhance NATO’s interoperability with 4th and 5th-generation fighter aircraft, ensuring our alliance can defend our security interests.”

Tsunis further added that “I eagerly await the modernization of the remaining F-16V aircraft and their return to the skies as the most advanced F-16 fleet in Europe.”

^{U.S. defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin delivered the first F-16 fighter jet to the U.S. Air Force on January 28, 2022, as part of the F-16 Sustainment Depot program. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin/Thinh D. Nguyen)}

During the induction ceremony at Tanagra Airbase, General Floros said Greece’s military modernization program is successful. He stated that timely completion of military modernization “is an issue of the highest national importance.” Floros further added that “Any potential aggressor will have to think twice or thrice before trying their luck.”

Greece’s military modernization attempt comes at a time when tensions between Greece and Turkey are rising. The two neighbors and fellow NATO member states are at odds with each other over a number of issues including territorial disputes. Ankara has accused Athens of illegally militarizing several islands in the Agean sea.

Earlier in May 2022, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis “no longer exists” for him. He accused the Greek leader of trying to block Turkey’s F-16 fighter jet deal with the United States.

Older versions of the F-16 fighter jets have been a part of Greece’s air force for a long time after it acquired its first batch of 40 F-16 jets in 1989. Greece bought more than 130 F-16 fighter jets over the years and planned to increase the fleet further. The latest 83 fighter jets would be the most advanced F-16 variants in Greece’s possession.