“With the acquisition of the F-35, the Hellenic Air Force acquires the first fifth-generation aircraft and enters a new era,” Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said after Greece dispatched the signed Letter of Acceptance (LoA) to the United States on Thursday.
The dispatch by the General Directorate of Defence Equipment and Investments of the Ministry of National Defence came after the approval of government’s national security council (KYSEA) for the start of the procurement program of 20 F-35 A Lighting II aircraft and related equipment, with the right to order an additional number of 20 combat aircraft.
Dendias described the development as a very important step in Greece’s “Agenda 2030” program, adding that “in combination with everything else taking place,” the Hellenic Armed Forces “will achieve what we all believe in becoming, the strongest deterrence force in our region and in the history of the Greek nation.”
The delivery of the first fifth-generation fighters, which Dendias said are “the most up-to-date aircraft on the planet today,” is estimated to take place in 2028.
“Preceding the LoA were the decision of KYSEA, the briefing of parliament and of the related committee. After that, we proceeded with the dispatch of this letter which marks the start of negotiations for the contract, which I hope will be concluded soon,” Dendias noted.
