Image source: topwar.ru
In May, it was reported that the Greek Air Force was going to decommission several older models of combat aircraft, such as the F-4 Phantom, Mirage 2000-5 and F-16 Block 30. The goal was to simplify logistics and modernize the fighter fleet, keeping only the Rafale and F-16 Block 70 Viper in service and ordering 20 F-35A units in July 2024 for $3.5 billion.
Since the Mirage 2000-5 still has potential, and France needs them [for supplies to Ukraine], Greece offered to resell them on condition of purchasing from 6 to 12 additional Rafales brought up to the F4 standard.
Since then, Athens' plans have changed. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that 24 Rafale F3R aircraft (including 12 used ones) purchased from France are enough:
At the same time, the head of the Greek cabinet focused on American fighters:
As indicated in the Turkish edition of SavunmaSanayiST, by refusing to purchase additional Rafale, Athens at the same time opted for an American fighter:
Image source: topwar.ru
Currently, Rafale is in service with 5 countries, not counting France, Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, and 3 more countries are waiting for its supplies - the UAE, Indonesia and Serbia. At the same time, NATO members purchased used aircraft: all 12 vehicles ordered by Croatia were in operation, and half of the 24 purchased by Greece.
That is, the most profitable contracts involving the production of new Rafales are concluded only by countries trying to pursue a relatively independent policy. At the same time, within NATO, the United States is "running the show", promoting its F-35.
It is noteworthy that before the conclusion of the first export contract with Egypt in 2015, French analysts tried to figure out why the Rafale, adopted in 2001, could not enter the world market. For example, a study was conducted at the University of Toulon in 2011, which concluded:
As indicated, the most productive period for the French defense industry was during the Cold War, when Paris tried to build a policy independent of NATO and found numerous clients among countries that did not join any of the blocs.
