Lockheed Martin welcomes Greece to F-35 program

Published by Kathimerini on Thu, 07/25/2024 - 17:17

The acquisition of 20 F-35 Block 4 advanced multirole aircraft will dramatically upgrade Greece's aerial capabilities. Given the rivalry with nominal NATO ally Turkey and the latter's exclusion from the F-35 program after it bought weapons systems from Russia, to the intense displeasure of the US, the procurement will significantly impact the balance of power between the two countries. Turkey, which after being denied the F-35 focused its efforts on buying new F-16 fighters, is now considering cutbacks in the acquisition of F-16 upgrade kits.

Lockheed Martin welcomed Greece into the F-35 program on Thursday, announcing that Athens had sent the signed Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for the procurement of 20 fighter jets.

"Today, the Greek government finalized its intention to procure 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) through a US government Foreign Military Sale. The LOA also includes an option for 20 additional aircraft," read the announcement.

"For several decades, the Hellenic Air Force has been our partner, and it is our honor to continue that relationship as Greece becomes the 19th nation to join the F-35 program," said Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager of the F-35 program.

"The F-35 is the only fighter suitable to strengthen Greece's sovereignty and operational capability with allies," she added.

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City

Athens

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Lockheed Martin

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Greece
United States

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Greek government
Hellenic Air Force

Person

Bridget Lauderdale

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