TSAMTO, September 16. Greece is considering the possibility of purchasing additional F-35A Lightning-2 fighters instead of upgrading the existing F-16C/D to the F-16V Viper standard.
According to the Kathimerini publication, negotiations with the United States on the modernization of 38 F-16 fighter jets are underway.Upgrades to the Viper standard have been going on for almost five years. Athens is concerned that the modernization, if completed by 2031 or 2032, could lead to a situation where the upgraded aircraft will become obsolete by the time they enter service. Thus, the Air Force command intends to consider an alternative option, namely the purchase of another 8 to 12 F-35A aircraft in addition to the 20 F-35A already ordered last year.
The first F-35A for the Greek Air Force should be ready in 2028. At the same time, the Greek aircraft will initially be stationed in the United States for training before being relocated to the 117th Fighter Wing in Andravida in the early 2030s. On the contrary, upgrading the F-16 Block.50, even at lower cost, will require further modifications before the end of the next decade.
Negotiations on the F-16 Block.50 reduced the estimated cost of modernization from the initial 1.9 billion. up to approximately 900 million euros. However, there are still risks associated with the timing of the work and the final configuration of the aircraft.
In contrast, the F-35A is expected to remain in service for 50 years, demonstrating higher interoperability, especially when combined with the Rafale F3R fighter fleet. This fact is one of the key arguments in favor of expanding the F-35A program instead of further investments in interim F-16 upgrades.
As previously reported by CAMTO, in January 2024, the US State Department approved the potential supply of up to 40 F-35A fighter jets in the conventional takeoff and landing version, related equipment and services worth up to $8.6 billion to Greece under the Foreign Military Sales program. The aircraft are designed to replace the obsolete F-4 and Mirage-2000 of the Greek Air Force.
In July 2024, following the Government's Foreign Affairs and Defense Council (KYSEA), the acquisition of 20 F-35A Lightning-2 fighter jets was approved by the Greek Parliament's Weapons commission. Obtaining approval allowed the Department of Defense in July 2024 to sign a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) for the supply of 20 F-35A aircraft and launch the contract process with Lockheed Martin by the US Department of Defense.
According to media reports, the agreement is worth 3.47 billion. The euro provides for the purchase of 20 F-35A aircraft, two additional engines, four simulators, training of personnel and includes an option to supply 20 additional fighters. This amount does not include weapons that will be purchased under separate agreements.
The Greek Air Force Command expects that the first batch of F-35A fighters will be delivered in 2028. Initially, until 2030, they will be used to train Greek flight and technical personnel in the United States. All aircraft (20 units) will be delivered to Greece by 2033.
