Consensus prevails as fighter jet deal passed in Parliament

Parliament on Thursday approved the purchase of 18 French Rafale fighter jets by an overwhelming majority, with only the Communist Party (KKE) and leftist MeRA25 voting against.

The purchase of the jets and compatible air-to-air Meteor missiles are expected set Greece back 2.3 billion euros.

The delivery of the 18 jets - 12 used and six new ones to be constructed by Dassault Aviation - is scheduled to begin by the middle of the year.

The delivery will be completed over two years.

The purchase is being made within the framework of an ambitious armaments plan announced by the government in September for the modernization of its armed forces over the next five years, amid tension with neighboring Turkey.

Parliament Speaker Konstantinos Tasoulas referred to the wider benefits to society that come with boosting the country's armed forces.

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