Greek News Update 27-10-2024

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September 25, 2024 - Greece’s defence set for growth, despite Nato spending shortfall - GlobalData’s “Greece Defense Market 2024-2029” report projects Greece’s defence spending to grow, though it will fall short of Nato’s 2% GDP target. Greece’s defence budget is forecast to increase steadily over the next five years, reaching $9.8bn (€8.7bn) by 2029, according to the latest report by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. While the projected growth signals increased investment, it also reveals Greece’s continued struggle to meet Nato’s spending benchmark due to persistent economic constraints and political divisions. The report, titled “Greece Defense Market 2024-2029“, highlights key trends, including a boost to Greece’s acquisition budget and the stabilisation of personnel costs, driven by the country’s large military forces and conscription system. This dynamic will shape the defence landscape in Greece, with implications for both domestic and international defence contractors. Read more

September 25, 2024 - Belharra frigates: Shielding the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean with new deterrent capabilities - National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced at the shipyards of the Naval Group in Lorient, France, that Greece is becoming a protagonist in the Aegean and in the Eastern Mediterranean after the acquisition of the three powerful electronic super weapons and also the +1 FDI. The frigates “KIMON”, “NEARCHOS”, “FORMION” as well as the fourth one that will be acquired by the Greek fleet will carry state-of-the-art weapons and technologies that will provide new capabilities. They will be able to face air threats, surface threats as well as underwater threats. The frigates will carry the SCALP NAVAL strategic missile, perhaps the most advanced cruise missile that can hit strategic targets at distances of over a thousand kilometers with very high precision. Read more

September 24, 2024 - The Greek F-35 program is on track, with the signing of the contract between Lockheed Martin and the US government for the start of production expected to take place next, J.R. McDonald, Lockheed Martin’s Vice President for F-35 Business Development, told Kathimerini. “With the signing of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) by the Greek government in July, negotiations for the intergovernmental agreement have begun. The next steps include the signing of a contract between the US government and Lockheed Martin for the production and delivery of Greece’s F-35s,” McDonald said. He said the first jets will be delivered to the Hellenic Air Force in four years. Read more

September 23, 2024 - Hellenic Navy races to modernize MEKO frigates as Spetsai prepares for Red Sea deployment - According to information published by Hellas Journal on September 22, 2024, the Hellenic Navy is experiencing a period of intense operational activity and technical upgrades, highlighted by the return of the frigate Psara to the Salamis Naval Base after a 97-day deployment. As the Psara docked, attention shifted to the modernization of the Navy's four Hydra-class MEKO frigates, a crucial step to maintain the fleet's operational capabilities. Despite ongoing challenges, these upgrades remain a priority, with the fleet facing a lengthy process before a full renewal. Read more

September 20, 2024 - Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Attends Launching Ceremony of Frigate “NEARCHOS” in Lorient, France - On Thursday, 19 September 2024, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the launching ceremony of Frigate “NEARCHOS”, which took place at the “Naval Group” facilities in Lorient, France. The Minister was accompanied by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Gen. Choupis, and the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, VADM Kataras HN. Mr. Dendias’ visit started with his official welcome by the Deputy Prefect of Lorient, Florence Bessy, at “Lann-Bihoué” Air Base. Subsequently, he went to the France Naval Detachment, where he attended a detailed briefing by its Commander, Capt. Michalitsis HN, on the works completion schedule of Frigate F-601 “KIMON”, the progress of works on Frigate F-602 “NEARCHOS”, as well as the schedule of works for Frigate F-603 “FORMION”. Read more

September 16, 2024 - Germany to train some of its F-35 pilots in Greece - According to Kathimerini, discussions are ongoing between Athens and Berlin regarding the training of future German F-35 pilots at the 120 Air Training Wing in Kalamata. The German air force plans to initially send ten pilots, who are expected to complete the full two-year training program of the 120 Wing, sources told Kathimerini. A few weeks ago, German air force officers visited the Kalamata air base to inspect the facilities and equipment. Greece will earn approximately 2.5 million dollars for each German pilot trained. Germany is the first country to show interest in having its pilots trained at the Kalamata international training pilot facility, which is operated by the Israeli defense contractor Elbit. Read more

September 14, 2024 - Mini drone procurement on the cards - The Defense Ministry’s decisions in favor of Greece’s procurement of Switchblade-type roving ammunition (loitering munitions, or tiny drones) for the Special Warfare Command will reportedly soon head to Parliament for approval. The US Switchblade roving ammunition (types 300 and the more modern 600) will be carried by Special Warfare Command members, who are, in any case, operationally adapted to the lessons learned from the latest war conflicts – the most important being that of Ukraine. The total cost amounts to US$75 million, of which the US will cover US$50 million, with Greece bearing the remaining US$25 million. Moreover, a package of assistance to Ukraine in the form of military equipment will also go to Parliament for approval in the near future. Read more

September 12, 2024 - Greece Pays Interests in Long-Range Missiles - Greek Army held talks with Lockheed Martin to negotiate to acquire long-range systems such as GMLRS and ATACMS or its successor, PrSM. The Greek Ministry of Defence announced on September 9 that a meeting was held with Lockheed Martin representatives to provide information on issues related to long-range weapon systems. The company has the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS ) and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) as tactical surface-to-surface missiles and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM ), which are the successor missiles to the ATACMS. Read more

September 9, 2024 - US fails to buy foreign F-16s, set to retire 30 of its F-16s - The U.S. Navy recently attempted, but did not succeed, in acquiring used F-16 fighters from Greece. This move was part of an effort to expand its ‘red air’ squadrons, which simulate enemy aircraft during training exercises. Interestingly, Greece has been looking to offload its older F-16s, which have caught the eye of several third-party operators and have also been considered as potential additions to Ukraine’s F-16 fleet. This reported interest from the U.S. Navy highlights its aim to enhance adversary training programs. By employing F-16s to replicate enemy aircraft, the Navy can provide pilots with realistic combat training, preparing them for real-world scenarios more effectively. Read more

September 9, 2024 - Greek Defense minister announces deployment of advanced Centaure anti-drone system on MEKO frigates - According to information published by Flight on September 7, 2024, Greek Minister of Defence Nikos Dendias revealed that the advanced anti-drone system Centaure will be integrated into all MEKO-class frigates of the Hellenic Navy. The system, developed through a collaboration between the Hellenic Airspace Industry and the Hellenic Defence Systems, has already been deployed aboard the frigate Psara, currently operating in the Red Sea. The Psara successfully engaged hostile drones in combat conditions, marking the first real-world test of the Centaure system. Read more

September 9, 2024 - Greek Special Forces eye two Cessna Caravan aircraft for full territorial coverage - According to Onalert on September 8, 2024, the Greek Special Warfare Command is reportedly considering the acquisition of two Cessna Caravan light aircraft to fulfill diverse operational and training requirements, driven by the aircraft's adaptability and the relatively low costs associated with their purchase and operation. The proposed acquisition involves two different versions of the Cessna Caravan: one with wheels for conventional runways and an amphibian version equipped with floats for water surfaces. This dual capability would allow the aircraft to function in any part of Greece, including islands and islets that lack airport facilities. The Greek Special Warfare Command, known as DEP, was established in September 2020 to enhance the capabilities of the country’s Special Operations Units. Read more

September 9, 2024 - EAV delivers two upgraded F-16 Vipers to Hellenic Air Force - The Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAV) delivered two upgraded F-16 Vipers to the Hellenic Air Force on Monday, while another fighter jet is expected to be delivered by the end of the month. In recent months, EAV has accelerated deliveries to get back on schedule. EAV officials estimate that they may even exceed their goal for 2024 by delivering an additional Viper, bringing the total number of fighter jets delivered this year to 16. EAV has already begun the hiring process for additional specialized personnel to achieve a production rate of 18 fighter jets per year, ensuring the program’s completion by 2027 without delays. Company sources state that approximately one-third of the fleet has been upgraded so far, with the time required to upgrade each aircraft now being significantly reduced. Read more

September 5, 2024 - Rafale Fighter Jets Delivery Marks New Era for Greek Air Force - At the end of September, the last batch of Rafale F3Rs fighter jets from the 332 “Hawk” Squadron will arrive in Greece. The squadron will receive one aircraft per month, with deliveries completed by January 2025. These six Rafales are new-build aircraft ordered in March 2022 along with three FDI frigates. Once they enter service, the 332nd will have 24 combat-ready aircraft, making them the most modern in Greece’s arsenal until the F-35s arrive later this decade. The Rafale is a French-made fighter jets, twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft capable of covering a wide range of operational missions. Read more

September 4, 2024 - Greece to begin receiving last batch of Rafales in September - Greece will begin receiving the final batch of six Rafale fighter jets from France in late September. The Greek Air Force will receive one Dassault-built aircraft per month, with deliveries expected to be completed by January 2025. The newly built Rafales were ordered from France in March 2022, along with three FDI frigates. Once the new jets are delivered, Greece will have a total of 24 Rafales in its fleet, all based at Tanagra Air Base near Athens. Greek officials are also exploring the possibility of ordering an additional 12 Rafales to form two tactical wings of 18 aircraft each. Read more

September 2, 2024 - Question: Why Does Greece Have So Many Tanks? - Greece maintains one of the largest and most capable tank fleets in Europe, with over 850 main battle tanks in active service, including advanced models like the Leopard 2A6 HEL and Leopard 2A4/GR. This significant investment in armored forces is driven by longstanding tensions with neighboring Turkey, despite both countries being NATO members. Greece's tank fleet, primarily composed of German-made Leopards, reflects a broader strategy of balancing military acquisitions between the United States and Europe. As Greece looks to the future, it considers upgrades to keep its older tanks competitive, incorporating lessons from recent conflicts like Ukraine. Read more

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