Athens: Turkey’s fiercest rival Greece is now equipped with Rafale fighter jets. The Hellenic Air Force has officially completed the acquisition of 24 Rafale fighter jets. Greece received the last Rafale aircraft at Tanagra Air Base on 9 January.
The last Rafale of the Hellenic Air Force landed at Tanagra Air Base in Greece after a non-stop flight from Dassault’s manufacturing facility in Bordeaux, France.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and superior combat capability, Rafale fighter aircraft are now operational with the 332nd Squadron of the Air Force of Greece. Established in January 2022 after extensive training in France, the squadron is now capable of fully undertaking air missions. With the induction of these aircraft, Greece has firmly established itself as one of the most advanced air forces in the region.
The first contract of Rafale, signed in January 2021, included 12 used and 6 new Rafale fighter aircraft. The total cost was about US$2.7 billion. These included the cost of weapons, training and infrastructure at the Tanagra air base, in addition to fighter aircraft.
After the acquisition of Rafale, Greece has now focused on the purchase of 20 F-35 Lightning II aircraft from the US, including an option for an additional 20 aircraft. This is expected to further increase Greece’s air capacity.
The US State Department approved the sale of 40 F-35 fighter jets to Greece in January 2024, a deal valued at USD 8.6 billion. Overall, the French Rafale is part of a broader strategy to improve Greece’s air defense capabilities, as tensions continue to rise in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greece and Turkey are at loggerheads.
The completion of Greece’s Rafale fighter aircraft takeover has been hailed by the Greek media as a pivotal moment, claiming that Athens now holds clear air superiority over Ankara.
Greece and Turkey have a longstanding dispute over the islands of the Aegean Sea. These areas are important reserves of oil and gas. Tensions escalated in 2020 after Turkey attempted to drill in the disputed portion. In addition, Turkey has also conducted a seismic survey on an island in Greece.
Rafale fighter aircraft are of 4.5th generation, which can fire Meteor missiles. Turkey currently has the F-16, which cannot fire missiles like the Meteor. Greek defense analysts argue that the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets has strengthened Greece’s strategic deterrence to a great extent. Rafale’s state-of-the-art technology, which includes advanced radar systems and powerful weapons, puts Greece in a distinct advantage. However, some experts warn that the operational and maintenance costs of these advanced jets could affect Greece’s defense budget.
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