Final Hellenic Air Force Rafale delivered
On 9 January 2025, the Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia (HAF, Hellenic Air Force) received its final Rafale fighter aircraft, completing its acquisition of 24 French-made aircraft.
The single-seat Rafale, bearing serial number 457, landed at the 114th Combat Wing at Tanagra Air Base shortly after 13:00 hrs LT, following a non-stop flight from the Dassault factory in Bordeaux/Mérignac. The aircraft was officially handed over to 332 Mira Geraki (Hawk).
This Rafale is part of a supplementary contract that expanded the HAF’s fleet from 18 to 24 aircraft. The additional six jets were ordered from France in March 2022.
In just four years, Greece has established a fully operational Rafale fighter squadron, significantly altering the balance of power in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean regions.
The initial contract for Rafale F3R fighters, signed in January 2021, included 12 used and six new aircraft. The package, which included weapons systems, initial support, pilot and technician training, and necessary infrastructure at Tanagra, cost approximately €2,5 billion. Of these 18 aircraft, 14 were single-seaters and four were two-seaters.
The first Rafale was delivered to Greece in July 2021. Six aircraft initially remained in France for pilot training and were officially welcomed to Tanagra in January 2022.
Two months later, Athens placed an additional order for six new Rafales—four single-seaters and two two-seaters—at a cost of €1,1 billion, bringing the strength of 332 Mira to 24 aircraft.
Serials of the HAF Rafales are:
Credit photo: José Damián & Mario Gonzáles (Scramble Archive)