ATHENS, Greece — Greece formally authorized a suggestion to purchase 20 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from america as a part of a serious protection overhaul, authorities officers mentioned Thursday.
Protection Minister Nikos Dendias mentioned whereas visiting a navy air base close to Athens that the acquisition would create “a robust deterrent presence in our area.” A letter of acceptance for the deal has been signed and despatched to the U.S., he mentioned.
Supply of the fifth-generation jet made by Lockheed Martin is anticipated to begin in 2028, whereas Greece maintains the choice to buy 20 further F-35 jets as a part of an $8.6 billion deal.
The acquisition of the primary 20 jets together with further assist will price some $3.5 billion, Greek officers mentioned.
Greece is overhauling its navy in a decade-long program following a protracted monetary disaster and continued pressure with neighbor and NATO ally Turkey, largely over a risky sea boundary dispute.
Turkey was dropped from the F-35 program 5 years in the past over its resolution to purchase Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile system, a transfer seen in america as compromising NATO safety.
In Athens, authorities spokesman Pavlos Marinakis described the present navy modernization marketing campaign as probably the most vital in “many many years.”
“We’ll proceed to implement this main program, equipping our nation and armoring its defenses,” Marinakis mentioned.
Athens has been in search of a bonus within the air since Turkey’s exclusion from F-35 purchases and has additionally acquired superior French-made Rafale fighter jets. Deliveries to the Greek air drive started in 2021, beginning with jets beforehand utilized by France’s navy that shall be supplemented by new plane constructed by French protection contractor Dassault Aviation.
Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin’s vp and basic supervisor of the F-35 program, described her firm’s plane as being ultimate to “strengthen Greece’s sovereignty and operational functionality with allies.”
“It’s our honor to proceed (our) relationship as Greece turns into the nineteenth nation to hitch the F-35 program,” she mentioned,
The U.S. State Division in January authorized the sale that might ultimately whole 40 F-35 plane, together with 42 engines in addition to providers and tools together with safe communications gadgets, digital warfare programs, coaching, logistics, and upkeep assist.
Present members of the F-35 program, both as members or by means of navy gross sales, are: america, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Israel, Japan, Korea, Belgium, Poland, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
