The Hellenic Air Force has officially completed the procurement of 24 Rafale fighter jets, with the last aircraft arriving at the 114th Fighter Wing at Tanagra Air Base on January 9th.
The last of 24 French Rafales with serial number 457 landed at the 114th Fighter Wing at Tanagra Air Base after a direct flight from Merignac, Bordeaux.
The jet is part of a second supplementary contract, with Greece increasing its Rafale order from 18 to 24. The last six aircraft purchases were part of a larger contract signed in March 2022, which also included three FDI frigates.
Featuring state-of-the-art technology and superior combat capabilities, the Rafale fighter jet is currently part of the Hellenic Air Force’s 332nd Squadron.
The squadron will become operational in January 2022 after extensive training in France and is now fully equipped and ready for advanced combat operations. With the addition of these aircraft, Greece has solidified its position as one of the most advanced air forces in the region.
The first Rafale contract, signed in January 2021, includes 12 used and six new aircraft, with a total expenditure of approximately US$2.7 billion covering the cost of Tanagra’s jets, weapons, training and infrastructure. was included.
Rafale Fighters shoot ‘lightning’ into the skies of the United States. Commemorating the important role of a French hero in the American Revolution
In March 2022, Athens expanded its order with six additional Rafale jets, aiming to bring its total fighter force to 24.
In addition to the Rafale acquisition, Greece is now targeting 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft to secure its next-generation fighter jets.
In July 2024, Greece took a major step by finalizing its intention to purchase F-35s under a foreign military sales agreement that also included an option for 20 additional aircraft.
The US State Department has approved the sale of up to 40 F-35 fighter jets to Greece in January 2024 in a contract worth $8.6 billion.
Overall, France’s Rafale is part of a broader strategy to improve Greece’s air defense capabilities as tensions rise in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greece and Turkey are at odds.
Conflict between Greece and Türkiye
The acquisition of Greek Rafale fighter jets has been completed. welcomed Greek media took this as a turning point and claimed that Athens now had clear air superiority over Ankara.
This milestone can be attributed not only to the introduction of 4.5 generation Rafale fighter jets, a technology that Turkey has not yet obtained, but also to the deployment of medium-range Meteor missiles.
Greek defense analysts claim that the acquisition of Rafale jets will significantly strengthen Greece’s strategic deterrence. The Rafale’s cutting-edge technology, including advanced radar systems and powerful weapons, gives Greece a distinct advantage.
However, some experts warn that the cost of operating and maintaining these advanced jets could strain Greece’s defense budget.
At the heart of the geopolitical conflict between Greece and Turkey over the Aegean Sea, where midair skirmishes occur frequently, is the quest for air superiority.
In 2022 alone, the Turkish Air Force will reportedly There were 11,256 violations of Greek airspace, of which 282 were committed by aircraft carrying air-to-air missiles. These near-daily skirmishes have honed the skills of the Greek pilot, widely regarded as one of NATO’s most capable aviators.
By comparison, Turkey claims Greece violated its airspace and waters 1,123 times in the first eight months of the year. According to To the Turkish Ministry of Defense.
Turkey has previously criticized Greece’s Rafale procurement, saying it undermines regional peace and stability.
The Turkish government has openly acknowledged the threat posed by Rafales. 2023: Retired Turkish Air Force Commander General Abidin Unal warned If Turkey fails to modernize its fleet by 2025, especially its aging F-16 fleet, Greece will have a decisive air superiority advantage.
Still, there has been some progress in Ankara’s efforts to counter Greece’s advances. In 2024, the United States has approved Turkey’s purchase of 40 new Block 70 F-16 fighter jets, and Turkey is also considering purchasing the Eurofighter Typhoon.
However, Turkish foreign policy failures, particularly the acquisition of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, have undermined access to the fifth-generation F-35 program and hindered military modernization. Greece, by contrast, has been welcomed into the F-35 program.
