ATHENS — The technichal support for AM-39 Exocet missiles on Mirage 2000 aircraft will be included in the armaments contract related to the purchase of Rafale aircraft, National Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said in Parliament on Monday.

Responding to a question by Greek Solution head Kyriakos Velopoulos, he said that MBDA France had informed the Hellenic Air Force that it could no longer provide support for Magic 2 missiles. The Greek Air Force however still reviews and supervises their operational state.

Asked by Movement for Change (KINAL) MPs Giorgos Frangidis and Vassilis Kegeroglou on a subcontract for upgrading F-16s, Panagiotopoulos said that once the third amendment of a standing agreement is approved, Lokheed Martin and its own choice of contractors will assume the programs.

In terms of the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAV), he said it was overseen by the Finance Ministry. EAV had "asserted to the ministry that it has undertaken all necessary actions that will allow the upgrade of F-16s within the set timetables," the minister said.