SHAH ALAM: Greece orders 18 Dassault Rafales as part of the country’s military modernisation programme as it face tensions with Turkey over the latter’s plans for oil and gas exploration in a disputed part of the Mediterranean Sea.
Apart from the Rafales, Greece will also upgrade 10 of its Mirage 2000-5 jets, buy four new multi role frigates and upgrade four older frigates, four ASW helicopters and new guided weapons for the navy, air force and army.
According to Greek media, a number of Rafales – eight – will arrived in Greece by mid-2021 indicating that these are French Air Force aircraft likely to be used to train pilots on their new mounts. The Greek on September 12 announced their intention to order the Rafale.
The release from Dassault Aviation.
Saint-Cloud, France, September 12, 2020 – Greece announced today its intention to acquire 18 Rafales to equip its air force.
This announcement illustrates the strength of the partnership that has linked the Greek Air Force and Dassault Aviation for more than 45 years, and demonstrates the enduring strategic relationship between Greece and France.
Greece ordered 40 Mirage F1 from Dassault Aviation in 1974, then 40 Mirage 2000 in 1985 and finally 15 Mirage 2000-5 in the year 2000; this latest contract also includes the modernization of 10 Mirage 2000 to the 2000-5 standard with a large contribution from Greek industry.
“I am delighted with this announcement, which reinforces the exceptional relationship we have had with Greece for nearly half a century, and I thank the Greek authorities for their confidence in us once again. Dassault Aviation is fully mobilized to meet the operational needs expressed by the Greek Air Force, and thus contribute to ensuring Greece’s sovereignty and the safety of the Greek people,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.
It must be noted that the Greek air force also operates some 170 F-16s in various blocks , 30, 50 and 52s. It is interesting to see that a country which faces threats and coercion from another country – although both belong to the same military block – feels the need to modernise its military despite the economic hardships it is facing.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (29)
first question
ada tender ke tak? hihihi.
jokes aside. congratulations to both france and greece. those rafales and belharras will contribute much to the defence of greece and economy of france.
Anyway IMO we should look into doing something of the same with South Korea. Getting the FA/TA-50 in the numbers that we need and looking at the HDF-2600 to finally give our navy the 6 frigates that we need by 2025.
Understand that Greek AF is a long time operator of Dassault planes.
Wonder how these Europeans manage to fund their modernisation programme in this time of economic hardships. Perhaps our Finance Minister can get some "tips" from Greece on how to do it...haha.
If Greek can Buy The rafale Despite their economy crisis.
Why malaysia didn't buy the rafale at the same time even we have Good Economy.
Off topic
This morning MAB posted trivia on the Scorpene... with pic of an Ohio. Post has since been removed.
Safran,
Because Greece has a clear and present threat (one which can actually lead to war) in that shape of Turkey.
Even in the 1980’s when it’s economy was also slow; it allocated quite a bit on defence because of Turkey; as well as to meet certain NATO obligations.
It also helps that Greek politicians; whether in government or not; are agreed on the need to spend on defence against Turkey;a country it has had issues with spanning centuries.
Paying to upgrade 35 year old planes to a standard 20 years ago must seem to be very logical. Greece should bring back their hoplon shields next.
@Safran
Greece just exited their EU debts in 2018, and despite the long and gruelling journey to payoff, they managed that in just 10 years and yet still maintain their high income nation status.
With debt to GDP ratio at 179,% in 2017, buying 18 more Rafale will not do anymore damage to the sinking economy. It's like selling to a person who can never pay. I wonder this will eventually turn into another bad loan write off by the French government. To act as the Mediterranean policeman is not cheap. Germany, a richer country is very reluctant of this.
Hope that our gov will get those ex Kuwait AF Legacy Hornet and upgrades it to mod-25x with aesa radar to full filled our air force needs...
@Zaidi
I kinda agree. We're talking about Greece! It's not known to crank up military hardware the scale Turkey's doing. And it believes it's doing EU a service by egging the richer North from giving EU membership to Turkey these many years. And there's justified nervousness on its part for the 'obstacles' it has helped set-up to block Turkey's past EU ambitions. So with the current East Mediterranean, well, Greece is in deep sx#x... :-)
If our air force has some experience to operates previous French made jet it may consider to get those Rafale...