Greece News Update 03-05-2024

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March 27, 2024 - Greece swaps F-35 Block 3 for Block 4 to deploy Meteor BVRAAM - While the American government granted the F-16 Block 70/72 to Turkey, a similar gift occurred with a far superior breed of fighters to Greece. This signifies a shift for the Greek Air Force, which will now take to the skies as the privileged operators of the F-35, instead of Turkey. Currently, Greece is discussing the procurement of 20 F-35A Block 3 fighter jets. However, a credible Greek news outlet, Pentapostagma, is reporting a change of plans. The negotiations between Athens and Washington appear to be leaning towards a swap of the Block 3 jets for the advanced Block 4 versions. A cursory look back at BulgarianMilitary.com reveals that when the green light was given for Greece to acquire the F-35, the jet model in question was Block 3. Read more

March 25, 2024 - Defense Minister hails ‘radical changes’ to Armed Forces - Greece’s Armed Forces are undergoing a radical overhaul in what the prime minister has described as the “biggest reform program in the history of the modern Greek state,” Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed on Monday. Presenting the broad strokes of the plan “to prepare the Armed Forces for the 21st century” in an interview with Antenna TV as Greece celebrates Independence Day, Dendias said the reforms are sweeping. “We need to make some very radical changes, in the weapons systems, in the structure, in innovation – that is, in the ability to create new systems using our own capabilities – in the military service, in our own significant and motivated personnel, everything needs to change. Read more

March 25, 2024 - Greece sells F-4E, F-16 Block 30, Mirage 2000-5 and purchase F-35 Block 4 and more Rafale - The Greek Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, stated that Greece wants to sell the F-16 Block 30, Mirage 2000-5 and F-4E Phantom fighter jets as part of the implementation of Agenda 2030. The Armed Forces Agenda 2023 is the biggest reform in the history of the Hellenic Armed Forces since the establishment of the modern Greek state, according to Dendias. Nikos Dendias also stated that all F-16 fighter jets should be upgraded to the Viper version and 6 more Rafales should be purchased so that the Hellenic Air Force has a total of 30. The Minister of National Defense emphasized that Greece wishes to purchase the F-35 Block 4. Read more

March 21, 2024 - Greek PM Mitsotakis Calls for ‘Defense’ Eurobonds at EU Summit - The Greek PM stated that strategic self-determination of Europe means more investments in military equipment, adding that Greece had exceeded 2% of its defense spending as a percentage of GDP in recent years. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that Europe should be able to issue Eurobonds dedicated exclusively to bolstering its military defense industry during remarks to the press in Brussels, on Thursday, where is taking part in a two-day EU Summit organized by the Council of the EU. “Greece must remain fortified, and for this, it should explore new ways to finance defense expenditures,” underscored Mitsotakis as he attended the European Council Summit in Brussels. Read more

April 28, 2024 - Hellenic Navy Considers Acquiring the 4th F/C FDI Belh@rra - The Greek Defence Ministry is considering acquiring the 4th frigate FDI Belh@rra as an LCS surface unit, and Coastal Patrol Vessel alternatives seem to fail. According to the Greek Publication Kathimerini, the Greek Defence Ministry is looking for an intermediate solution ship for the Hellenic Navy. The provision of U.S. Coastal Patrol vessels through the Excess Defence Articles (EDA) appears to be rejected by both political and military administrations. At the same time, the scenario of Greece's participation in the U.S. Navy's Constellation class remains at a theoretical level since the design of the ship has not been completed. Read more

April 27, 2024 - Dendias announces €2 bln drone umbrella - Defence Minister Nikos Dendias has announced that 2 billion euros has been committed for the creation of an anti-aircraft and anti-drone canopy. In an interview at the Beyond 2024 exhibition in Thessaloniki, Dendias said Greece must have a “sensible response” to Turkey’s military buildup. “Greece, as I always say, is not Luxembourg; not all our neighbours are our friends,” he said. “Look at the shipbuilding program, for example, of our neighbour Turkey. Look at its drone program. We must have a sensible response to them. I am not saying that we should get into a contest to see who will be first. We want to defend ourselves, and we also want to be able to have a deterrence capability,” the minister said. Read more

April 24, 2024 - Naval Group Lays Keel of HN’s 3rd FDI Formion - On April 15, 2024, the first block of the third Greek FDI frigate HN “Formion” was laid at the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient. This step is a milestone in the FDI HN program for PN as it marks the start of the assembly process of the third vessel. On April 15, 2024, the Naval Group shipyard positioned the keel of the first block of the 3rd Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI) of the Hellenic Navy in Lorient. This step marks the beginning of the assembly process of the third ship. The Frigates of the Greek Navy are Blue Water warships of the 4,500-ton class. The multipurpose ship features anti-ship, anti-air, anti-submarine, and special forces projection and capabilities against asymmetric threats. Read more

April 22, 2024 - MPD offered Greek Army new MTU engines for Leopard 1A5 tanks - The Ministry of Defence in Greece has held a meeting with the German company, Melita Power [MPD]. During this meeting, it was proposed that the Greek Leopard 1A5 tanks be upgraded with new engines. Currently, the Greek 1A5s are powered by MTU MB 838 CaM 500 engines, capable of a maximum power output of 819 hp. According to Greek sources, this is about replacing the outdated engines in the Greek tanks. “On 18 April 24, a presentation was made to GES staff by representatives of the MELITA POWER company regarding its proposals for replacing the existing LEO 1A5 tank engine, as well as its maintenance options,” the Greek military announced in a brief communique. Read more

April 22. 2024 - Greece in talks with Rafael for SPYDER air defence system - The Defence Ministry of Greece is in negotiations with the Israeli company Rafael to finalize a deal that will include the company's SPYDER air defence system. The war in Ukraine has promoted the international demand for this combat-proven air defence system. The Czech Republic and Morocco have selected the Rafael SPYDER air defence system for their short-range air defence needs. Recently, Rafael, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, has successfully completed a test of the advanced SPYDER air defence system in its latest, unique configuration – All In One. The test included the interception of a UAV in a challenging operational scenario, achieving a direct and effective hit. Read more

April 13, 2024 - Kyiv requests new weapons systems - With the war in Ukraine at a critical juncture, Kyiv is seeking to meet its ever-increasing needs for ammunition and weapons systems, mainly through bilateral agreements and requests. The Greek Parliament released a package a few days ago, mainly concerning ammunition, before a Ukrainian delegation came back with new requests, related to Kyiv’s air capability, anti-aircraft defence, and land forces. More specifically, the Ukrainians are requesting support to acquire F-16 fighter jets. Since Athens has ruled out any possibility of concession or sale of fighter jets to Kyiv, the Ukrainians have requested assistance in training F-16 pilots, spare parts for the aircraft, AMRAAM and AGM-88 HARM missiles and GBU-39 bombs. In addition, Kyiv wants anti-aircraft systems. Read more

April 12, 2024 - USA committed to upgrade Greece’s military, says ambassador Tsounis - The United States’ commitment to the upgrade of the Greek military is demonstrated by the US-Greece collaboration in the field of defence, US Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis underlined at the 9th Delphi Economic Forum on Thursday. He referred to the Letter of Offer and Acceptance to the Greek defence ministry on Wednesday about the procurement of F-35s by Greece, noting that Greece is a very important partner of the US, as Greece supports NATO’s southeastern flank. Asked to comment if Greeks should worry that Turkey is purchasing F-16s from the US, Tsunis said the neighbouring country has had F-16s for decades, just like Greece, and what the focus should be on instead is the significant improvement in Greek-Turkish relations, as both countries are NATO partners. Read more

April 10, 2024 - Greece’s F-35 deal moves forward - The letter of acceptance (LOA) regarding Greece’s request for the supply of F-35 fighter jets has been in the General Directorate of Defence Equipment and Investments since Wednesday morning. The document reached Athens, specifically the defence cooperation office of the American embassy (ODC), on Tuesday afternoon before being forwarded to the relevant services of the National Defence Ministry. The arrival of the letter initiates a 60-day countdown for the signing of the corresponding contracts. Information obtained from sources indicates that the interstate agreement (FMS) is expected to be finalized shortly before the European elections, given that the LOA expires on June 9. Read more

April 2, 2024 - The Hellenic Aerospace Industry’s modernization a pillar for Greek defence industry - National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias’ big bet is the revival of the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) with the view to playing a critical role to the upgrade of the Greek defence industry. Describing his vision for the Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Dendias stated that “it is now moving to another level with new technologies, new research, and things that should be developed for the Greek armed forces and Defence of the Netherlands, Kasja Ollongren, who is visiting Greece. The meeting will take place at the Hellenic First Army/ EU-OHQ Headquarters in Larissa. After the bilateral meeting, there will be a briefing at the Headquarters and the Operations Centre of European Operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, followed by statements by Mr. Dendias and Ms. Ollongren. Read more

April 2, 2024 - Dendias unveils ambitious Air Force plans - Parliament on Tuesday will approve the procurement program for 35 Black Hawk (UH-60M) helicopters at a total cost of 1.15 billion euros, with Defense Minister Nikos Dendias stressing on Monday that by 2030 Greece country should have 200 4.5- and 5th-generation aircraft, envisioning a fleet of F-16 Vipers, Rafales and F-35s. Dendias visited the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA), where he was briefed about 15 prioritized military equipment programs. He outlined the government’s plan for restructuring the country’s armed forces under “Agenda 2030” on Monday, emphasizing fighter jet acquisition, navy fleet enhancement and the domestic defence industry’s role in autonomous systems and missile defence. Read more

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