Greece finalized its intention to procure 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) through a U.S. government Foreign Military Sale on Thursday. The LOA also includes an option for 20 additional aircraft.
In January 2024 the U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of up to forty F-35 fighter jets and respective equipment to Greece in an $8.6 billion deal.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a video statement that, as part of the deal, the Greek state will also receive significant military aid at no extra cost. This would include frigates, C-130 transport aircraft, armored tanks, and vehicles.
“This is the result of a methodical, quiet and long effort, which combined Greece’s consistency as an ally on the international fronts with the promotion of its national interests,” said the Greek PM. “A result which consolidates, at the same time, the dynamic and independent Greek-American strategic relationship.”
Mitsotakis’ official request to the US for the purchase of twenty Lockheed Martin-made F-35 fighter jets was submitted in 2022.
F-35 “will provide exceptional capability” to Greece
“We are excited to welcome Greece into the F-35 enterprise,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer of the F-35 Joint Program Office.
“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.”
“For several decades, the Hellenic Air Force has been our partner, and it is our honor to continue that relationship as Greece becomes the 19th nation to join the F-35 program,” said Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of the F-35 program.
“The F-35 is the only fighter suitable to strengthen Greece’s sovereignty and operational capability with allies.”
F-35 is rapidly becoming the NATO standard fighter
The F-35 is rapidly becoming the NATO standard fighter of choice, offering unparalleled interoperability with NATO and other allied assets.
This capability stands as a significant advantage for the U.S. and its allies, ensuring strategic superiority for decades. By the 2030s, more than 600 F-35s will work together from more than 10 European countries, including two full U.S. F-35 squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath.
“The F-35’s growing presence across Europe is a powerful testament of alliance-based deterrence and is setting the foundation for NATO and allied nations’ next-generation air power capability,” said Mara Motherway, Lockheed Martin vice president of Strategy and Business Development.
The F-35 plays a crucial role in deterring threats and disrupting adversaries’ plans and actions. The mere presence of the F-35 strengthens Greece and the joint force, ensuring regional stability and safeguarding the sovereignty of allied airspace. As the battlespace evolves, connectivity becomes increasingly vital, says Lockheed Martin in a statement.
To date, the F-35 operates from 32 bases worldwide, with 10 nations operating F-35s on home soil. There are nearly 1,000 aircraft operational with more than 860,000 flight hours fleetwide.
Further strengthening our international partnership and bolstering Greece and NATO’s defense capabilities, the Hellenic Armed Forces also operate F-16s, C-130s and Hawk helicopters.
It is currently upgrading a portion of its F-16 fleet to the advanced “Viper” configuration while its Hercules fleet supports critical airlift mission requirements.
Greece recently signed an LOA to acquire 35 UH-60M Black Hawks in addition to its existing S-70B fleet and newly acquired MH-60R maritime helicopters.
Related: Can Turkey’s Next-Generation Fighter Jet Compete With the F-35?
