Greece to acquire six additional Rafale fighter jets
Greece's Ministry of Defence has signed a contract for six additional new Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. This order increases the Hellenic Air Force's fleet to 24 aircraft.
Athens, Greece – Greece has ordered six additional Rafale fighter jets from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, increasing the Hellenic Air Force's fleet to a total of 24 aircraft. The previous order for 18 Rafale jets was placed in January 2021.
The contract was signed in Athens by Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, and Vice-Admiral Aristidis Alexopoulos, Director General of Armaments and Investments of the Greek Ministry of Defence. French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly and Greek National Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos were present at the signing.
The first six Rafale aircraft from the initial order arrived at Tanagra Air Base in January 2022. All 18 aircraft from the first contract are expected to be fully deployed by the summer of 2023. The six newly ordered aircraft will be delivered starting in the summer of 2024.
Dassault Aviation highlighted its nearly 50-year partnership with Greece, stating that this new order reflects the Greek government's satisfaction with the Rafale's operational capabilities and its commitment to enhancing national sovereignty and security.