Greece F-16 Upgrade Talks: Cost Reduction Strategy
**Greece is currently engaged in negotiations with the United States aimed at reducing costs associated with upgrading its F-16 Block 50 fighter jets to the Viper configuration.** The discussions involve the Hellenic Air Force Command and officials from Lockheed Martin, focusing on a modernization program that encompasses 38 F-16 Block 50 jets. A significant meeting took place on February 24, where U.S. representatives visited the Hellenic Air Force headquarters to further these discussions.
Reports from the Greek newspaper Kathimerini indicate that the talks are expected to conclude by February 28. The primary goal of these discussions is to revisit the draft of the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) that was sent by the U.S. months ago, while also seeking to keep the total upgrade costs under $1 billion. Greece is particularly focused on minimizing expenses in light of rising defense budgets, aiming to balance economic considerations with military modernization.
The initial estimate for upgrading the 38 fighter jets to the Viper variant was set at around $800 million by the Greek Air Force. However, the U.S. valued the LoA at approximately $1.5 billion. Recent reports suggest that both parties might reach a preliminary agreement around $900 million by excluding certain systems that were originally requested by Greece.
Challenges in Selling Mirage Fighter Jets
In a related development, Greece has encountered difficulties in selling its Mirage 2000-5 aircraft. Originally, France had planned to finance the purchase of additional Rafale fighter jets for the Hellenic Air Force by acquiring 24 Mirage jets from Greece’s inventory. However, with France’s refusal to proceed with this deal, Greece is now struggling to find buyers for these aircraft.
According to Kathimerini, despite engaging in discussions with several potential buyers, including India, there has been a lack of substantial interest in the Mirage jets. Recently, Ukraine expressed interest in acquiring the aircraft, but Greece opted not to move forward with this potential sale, reflecting a cautious approach to its military asset transactions.
In the midst of these developments, the Hellenic Air Force’s Mirage 2000 and F-16 fighter jets remain at the forefront of Greece’s defense strategy, while the country’s new drone recently underwent a live-fire test, showcasing its commitment to enhancing its military capabilities.
