ATHENS – Greece’s detente with Turkey – which had regularly been sending F-16’s into Greek airspace previously – hasn’t slowed the building up of the Hellenic Air Force, which by 2028 will start getting a first batch of advanced F-35 fighter jets.

The $3.5 billion deal was confirmed by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias who said the agreement had been signed with the United States for the super jets made by Lockheed Martin, and an option to buy 20 more.

He said that the additional fighter jets, given their state-of-the-art weapons systems, will be a “powerful deterrent in our region,” without mentioning Turkey during the calming of tensions otherwise.

The end of a 2010-18 economic and austerity crisis has seen Greece, among the leaders in NATO for its percentage of defense spending, building up arms and the military, also buying French Rafale fighter jets and French frigates.

Despite the rapprochement with Turkey, which has seen President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ratchet down belligerence in favor of diplomacy as he renews a 19-year effort to get into the European Union, Greece is adding to its defense capabilities.

There was no reaction from Turkey over the deal as Erdogan is eagerly seeking the F-35s after getting American approval to buy more F-16s over the objection of supporters of Greece in the US Congress.

Turkey was barred from the F-35s for buying Russian S-400 missile defense systems that undermine the security of NATO – which nevertheless praised Turkey as a “valuable ally” – and which could be used against Greece in a conflict.

New Democracy government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said the modernization campaign was the most significant in decades and added that, “We will continue to implement this major program, equipping our country and armoring its defenses.”

Lockheed Martin Vice-President and General Manager Bridget Lauderdale, who oversees the F-35 program, said the aircraft was ideal “strengthen Greece’s sovereignty and operational capability with allies.”

The U.S. State Department in January approved the sale for up to 40 F-35s, along with 42 engines, services and equipment including secure communications devices, electronic warfare systems, training, logistics, and maintenance support.

Air and Space Forces noted Greece’s buildup includes F-16 Block 52s, French Dassault Mirage 2000s, and Rafales and the current stock of F-16’s being upgrade and some older ones could be sold or sent to Ukraine, which is fighting off a continued Russian invasion.

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/greece-to-buy-f-35s/

US Lt. Gen. Michael J. Schmidt, F-35 program executive officer, said the F-35 will provide “exceptional capability to the Hellenic Air Force, build interoperability between our allies and strengthen the combat effectiveness for all of NATO.”

(Material from the Associated Press was used in this report)