Possible Hellenic Air Force Dassault Rafale acquisition
Earlier this year the Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia (Hellenic Air Force) announced the start of the modernisation programme of their extensive F-16 fleet. Greece has awarded Lockheed Martin a USD280 million contract to upgrade the air force’s fleet of F-16C-52+ and F-16D-52+ fighter aircraft over the next seven years.
These F-16s will be upgraded to the Block 70/72 Viper configuration. Among other enhancements, this includes an APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar that significantly enhances the aircraft’s ability to identify and engage enemy aircraft.
In December 2019, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said that by 2027, the modernisation of 84 F-16s in the "Viper" version would be completed.
Besides the F-16 modernisation programme, the Greek government also stated their interest in acquiring a modest number of F-35 Lightning II aircraft as well, which would be heavily depending on the available funding.
During August 2020 there were rumours on a looming deal between Athens and Paris that would boost Greek armaments in the Aegean concerning the acquisition of Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft.
This sudden move was triggered by the necessity communicated by the political and military leadership of the Ministry of Defence stating an immediate requirement to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities as a result of the increasing tension in the region.
According to unconfirmed Greek media reports, Greece and France have made a framework agreement for the delivery of the eighteen Dassault Rafales. The Greek newspaper "Parapolitika" even stated that the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed on the acquisition of the fighter aircraft.
According to this publication, ten aircraft will be delivered directly from the Dassault factory designated as Rafale C F3-R. This version equipped with AESA technology and the BVR METEOR missiles will provide the required necessity in enhanced capabilities. The remaining eight aircraft will be former Armée de l’Air (AdlA, French Air Force) aircraft, able to carry out interception missions with the RBE2 radar (Radar à Balayage Electronique 2 plans) PESA and the MICA EM / IR missiles. The article further states that the eight former French aircraft will be donated to the Hellenic Air Force.
Although there is no signed contract yet, the negotiations are reported to be in a final wrap-up state. The acquisition of even this small number of fighters in combination with the 24 Mirage 2000-5Mk.II will be the most effective fleet of interceptor fighters in the region, according to the Hellenic political and military leadership.
Photos: via Scramble Magazine
Sources: Defensepoint.gr and Parapolitika