The 18 Rafale aircraft come from France

The market 18 French Rafale fighter jets, the largest weapons program since 2009, is entering the final phase of implementation. “In a few days, the agreement of 18 Rafale aircraft that we will acquire in 2021 from France, “he said. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Parliament during the debate on the approval of the budget.

Tomorrow, Thursday, December 17, the Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos inform the competent Armament Programs and Contracts Commission Parliament for the program purchase of the French Rafale at an estimated cost of 2.5 billion. euro.

The first – slightly used- Rafale It is scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force in June 2021. Each month, in the second half of 2021, it is expected to receive a Rafale, so by the end of 2021 six used Rafale have been added to the Air Force fleet. . The other 12 French fighter jets are expected to be delivered in 2022, six of which will also be used lightly by the French Air Force and the rest new.

Immediately after the formalization of the contract, the first four Greek pilots who will be in charge of the flight of the French twin-engines will depart for training in France. The first four Greek pilots who will be certified for the Rafal flight as pilots will continue their training to become trainers for the new pilots who will join the Rafal squad. The 18 French fighter jets will operate from Squadron 332 in Tanagra. The first six used Rafale F3Rs will arrive in Greece with a full load of armament, Meteor and Exocet missiles, they will be able to carry the Mica air-to-air missiles and the Scalp strategic missile weapon that is already in the Greek arsenal and is expected to be certified by French manufacturers to extend your business life.

“Never before has such a large and complex weapons program been carried out so quickly and methodically. Our country, as I have promised, will also acquire new frigatesAnti-submarine drone helicopters will upgrade F-16 aircraft. “The armament of the army, the air force, the navy will be renewed,” he stressed. Kyriakos Mitsotakis.