For the first time, the Armed Forces will carry out joint training for the American 5th generation fighter aircraft, as part of a joint exercise with the US
OF MANOS CHARALAMPAKI – SOURCE: THE NEWS – [Μετατροπή σε κείμενο: ]
F-35 ‘Intensive Summer Course’ Begins in Armed Forces. From this week, co-training of the Armed Forces with American F-35 and F-15 fighters begins in Souda and not only.
The timing of this contact and the close cooperation of the Greek pilots with the F-35s is not disconnected from the broader planning of the “Pentagon” for the further defensive armoring of the country with the American superweapon. The official request of the Greek government for the acquisition of the F-35 (LOR) has gone to the USA. At the same time, the Chief of Defense Forces, General Konstantinos Floros has been in the USA since yesterday, while in a few days the Minister of Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos will also visit Washington. Both have scheduled discussions with US officials on the issue of acquiring the F-35s.
However, the arrival of the American F-35s in Souda – in fact for the first time in Greece – and above all the organization of joint training with the Greek Armed Forces means that the Ministry of Defense, GEETHA and GEA have prioritized the inclusion of the F-35s in the Greek arsenal. That is why the intention of the political and military leadership is not to waste time and thus the preparation and intensive courses of the Greek pilots have already begun with the aim of slowly starting to enter the “philosophy” and requirements of the F-35. In fact, the joint training will include multiple scenarios in which, according to “NEON” information, not only Air Force aircraft but also forces from the Navy and special forces will participate.
Valuable experiences. It is certain that if the Greek pilots do not fly the F-35 themselves, they will not be able to learn all their secrets, which is likely to happen at the end of the decade. But these joint trainings with the 5th generation fighters will offer them valuable experiences for their mode of action and capabilities. It is noted that this is not the first time that the pilots of the Air Force come into contact, at the level of exercises, with the F-35. They have cooperated with F-35 in the “HNIOHOS” exercise and also in the Israeli multinational Blue Flag.
Motility. However, the mobility for the acquisition of the American 5th generation fighters is great. It is indicative that last week the Head of GEETHA had a meeting with Lockheed Martin executives. The meeting emphasized the activation procedures of the F-35 fighter aircraft acquisition program which are in progress. And of course, it should not be forgotten that the Chief of GEETHA will visit the facilities of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, where the F-35 is manufactured, and there he will meet with the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation James D .Taiclet. Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos will have similar contacts on the subject of the 5th generation fighters that Greece will acquire in a week from now, when he will visit the USA.
It is pointed out that in the planning of the government and the Ministry of Defense is the acquisition of 20 F-35 (ie one squadron) with the option to purchase another 20 in the future. Based on planning and financial capabilities, it is estimated that the acquisition of 20 F-35s can begin towards the end of the current decade.
