TSAMTO, October 12. In addition to the agreement with France on the acquisition of three frigates (with an option to purchase a fourth), six additional Rafale fighters (as a result, their total number will increase to 24 units), Greece intends to spend significant sums on the purchase of missiles and ammunition, the rental of UAVs and the modernization of aircraft.
According to the Greek edition Ekathimerini.com On October 6, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos told the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense.
The cost of missiles and ammunition will be about 550 million euros. They will be used to enhance the capabilities and upgrade the AH-64A Apache attack helicopters of the Greek Air Force, fighter jets and missile boats.
The Greek Armed Forces also intend to modernize the training aircraft and power plants of the MEKO-class frigates.
In addition, Greece intends to lease two additional Heron-1 unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel, which will expand the capabilities of two existing vehicles and increase the efficiency of patrolling in the Aegean Sea.
As reported by TSAMTO, the military departments of Israel and Greece concluded the first agreement on leasing a set of Heron UAVs developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in March 2020.
As part of the agreement, the Israeli Defense Ministry provided Greece with a set of Heron UAVs in a configuration for use at sea for a period of 3 years with the right to purchase after the end of the leasing period. According to Greek media reports, two UAVs are used for reconnaissance. As noted, they should also serve as a deterrent for Turkey, which uses unmanned systems in the Aegean Sea near the border of the two countries.
