Greece News Update 27-08-2024

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July 29, 2024 - Greek Shipyard Delivers Blocks For France’s Second FDI - For the first time in history, a Greek shipyard is participating in the construction of a high-tech warship for the naval fleet of another country, specifically France, through the FDI program. On July 13, 2024, the Salamis Shipyards delivered five (5) pre-equipped blocks of the second (and fifth in the production series) French Navy defence and intervention frigate (FDI) (Admiral Louzeau). These blocks were constructed at the Salamis Shipyards in Salamis, Greece, and are already en route from Greece to the Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, France, where they will undergo the next steps in the frigate’s construction. Read more

July 26, 2024 - Greece signs deal to buy 20 US-made F-35 jets in major military overhaul - Greece formally approved an offer to buy 20 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from the United States as part of a major defense overhaul, government officials said Thursday. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said while visiting a military air base near Athens that the purchase would create “a powerful deterrent presence in our region.” A letter of acceptance for the deal has been signed and sent to the US, he said. Delivery of the fifth-generation jet made by Lockheed Martin is expected to start in 2028, while Greece maintains the option to purchase 20 additional F-35 jets as part of an $8.6 billion deal. Read more

July 18, 2024 - Centaur: The New Combat-Proven C-UAS System By Hellenic Aerospace Industry - Videos and reports about a Greek warship that has effectively protected commercial ships in the Red Sea area, as part of the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, are flooding the press and social media this month. This warship is none other than the Hellenic Navy Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigate Psara, which, despite its age and condition (having undergone only minimal upgrades or changes), seems to meet threats without even using a single one of its valuable and expensive RIM-162 ESSM Block 1 surface-to-air missiles (SAM) (Hydra-class frigates carry 16 x ESSM in their Mk48 Mod 5 VLS), relying only on its Mk45 Mod2A 127mm gun and a Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) system installed shortly before departure. Read more

July 17, 2024 - F-35 purchase is OK’d - The Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) approved on Tuesday the purchase of 20 F-35 advanced multirole aircraft from the United States, as well as several other procurement programs. The decision was a formality, after Parliament approved the acquisition late last month, but it set in motion the implementation of what is, perhaps, Greece’s most consequential weapons acquisition, a process which is expected to last several years and will cost, initially, $3.54 billion. Approval by KYSEA will be followed by the signing of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), which the US government submitted in April. Greece has until the end of July to sign this document, which is the legal equivalent of a contract. Read more

July 17, 2024 - Greece Could Deliver 32 F-16s Aircraft Fighter to Ukraine - According to an article by Al Jazeera published on July 16, 2024, Greece plans to send 32 F-16s to Ukraine. These planes are scheduled to be decommissioned, but it was widely known that the Ukrainians had their eyes on them. It appears that Greece will grant Ukraine new F-16s, according to an unnamed source cited by Al Jazeera. Greece has been an unwavering supporter of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion, driven by its security concerns. Greece's support for Ukraine has been substantial. Shortly after the war began, Greece sent two C-130 planes loaded with military supplies, including 20,000 Kalashnikov rifles. Read more

July 17, 2024 - Salamis Shipyards deliver five pre-equipped blocks for French FDI frigates - Salamis Shipyards has delivered five pre-equipped blocks of the second and fifth series of production for the French FDI frigates (Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention), which are now being transported to the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient. This delivery marks a significant milestone for both Salamis Shipyards and Greek shipbuilding defence industry, as it is the first time a Greek shipyard has participated in the construction of high-tech warships for another country’s fleet through the FDI program. Read more

July 8, 2024 - US military assistance to Greece hits roadblock - US military assistance to Greece, part of the so-called Blinken package, has hit a roadblock, as reported on Monday, with the Hellenic Armed Forces refusing to accept most of the offered weapon systems from US stockpiles due to high refurbishment costs. The Hellenic Navy decided to decline the four LCS frigates offered by the US, as they were older versions and would require substantial resources to make operational. Similarly, the 164 Bradley IFVs from the US Army and BAE Systems stockpiles were rejected by the Hellenic Army due to the significant investments needed for refurbishment. Moreover, it is unlikely that the Hellenic Air Force will accept the C-130-H, as they would need extensive resources to become airworthy. Read more

July 5, 2024 - EIB set to finance the Greek defence industry - The European Investment Bank is considering funding the Greek defence industry, following the decisions earlier this year to strengthen European defence and security. This can be via either loans or investments in the company’s equity capital. In total the EIB aims to channel 6 billion euros in loans in the next few years into such projects in Europe and invest extra sums in the equity capital of eligible companies. This week it signed a cooperation agreement with the NATO Innovation Fund. In this context, EIB Vice President Yannis Tsakiris is holding a meeting on Friday at the EIB office in Athens with representatives of Greek defence companies. Read more

July 4, 2024 - Lockheed Martin Delivers 20th Upgraded F-16 Viper Multirole Fighter Jet to Greece - On July 3, 2024, Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), announced the delivery of the 20th F-16 aircraft upgraded to the "Viper" configuration to the Hellenic Air Force (HAF). This delivery marks an important step in strengthening Greece's defense capabilities, providing the Hellenic Air Force with the most advanced F-16 fleet in Europe.The F-16 Viper was upgraded at HAI's facilities in Tanagra, as part of a program approved by the U.S. government in October 2017, with an estimated value of around $1.5 billion. The first aircraft, bearing serial number 005, was initially delivered in 2009 as an F-16C Block 52+ with a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine under the Peace Xenia IV sale. Read more

July 2, 2024 - Greece May Freeze or Cancel MEKO200HN Modernisation - The Hellenic Navy might freeze the MEKO200HN modernisation program, which could result in its cancellation as a whole. According to the Greek website Navaldefence's exclusive report, the MEKO200HN modernisation program, despite having all legislative procedures resolved, is at risk of cancellation. The Greek side's decision to prevent the Thales-TKMS joint venture from coming to Greece as planned just before the final round of negotiations with the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA). The publication states that this ambiguity raises questions about a potential change in attitude and the program's future. Read more

July 1, 2024 - Greece Approves Purchase of F-35A Jets and Participation in Constellation Frigate Program - The Greek Parliamentary Armaments Commission has approved plans to acquire 20 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets and to explore involvement in the Constellation-type frigate construction program. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias presented these initiatives, emphasizing their strategic importance for enhancing the operational capabilities of the Hellenic Air Force and Navy. On January 27, 2024, the United States authorized the sale of F-35A Lightning II fighter jets to Greece as part of a broader defense package that also includes the sale of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to Turkey. Read more

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