The way is open for Greece to enter the 5th generation of fighter aircraft, with the relevant request from Athens having received all the necessary signatures and within the next few days being sent to the American Pentagon.
Written by Stavros Ioannidis – [email protected] – SOURCE: POLITICAL –
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According to information, the LoR for LoA, i.e. the letter with which Greece will request the F-35 commitment and the costing of the program, will include a Squadron of 20 aircraft but also the option for an additional 20, so that in the future the Military Air Force to have two full Squadrons of F-35s. The response that will come after a few months from the United States will describe the costs for the acquisition of the aircraft, the necessary infrastructure and the training process for the Greek pilots and technicians. The negotiation with the American government is expected to be completed perhaps within 2023, with the first aircraft arriving in Greece at the end of 2027.
F-35s, however, are going to land much earlier in Greek airports, as in about two weeks the “invisible” fighters are expected in Souda, accompanied by F-15s, in order to strengthen the American presence in the wider region. This is a first-class opportunity for the Air Force to draw the first conclusions about the operational capabilities of the state-of-the-art aircraft in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean environment.
After all, the Greek “wings” had many opportunities to fly with F-35s during exercises and joint trainings, with Air Force pilots declaring that they were impressed by the capabilities of the particular fighter.
Discussions with the American side are expected to begin immediately, as in mid-July the Chief of the General Staff of National Defense, General Konstantinos Floros, will travel to the United States, accompanied by senior officers of the Armed Forces, and among the important appointments he will have there will also visit the Lockheed Martin factory in Texas.
