Tanagra

Greece has no time for a "dialogue with the absurd" in neighboring Turkey, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said, noting that Greece is better protected than ever following deals to acquire upgraded and next-generation fighter aircraft.

The first upgraded F-16 Viper of the Hellenic Air Force will land on Wednesday at the aerospace facility in Fort Worth, Texas, currently owned by the US Air Force and operated by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, where, for a few months, it will undergo final tests.

A Rafale fighter jet of the French Air Force taxis on the tarmac during a joint military drill at Tanagra military air base, north of Athens, Thursday. Greek and French military leaders observed an exercise by French Rafales following a 2.3-billion-euro deal for Greece to buy 18 of the jets. [EPA]

A squadron of four Hellenic Airforce fighter jets and one French Airforce perform a flyover during a joint military drill, at Tanagra military air base, about 82 kilometres (51miles) north of Athens, Thursday. Greek and French military leaders observed an exercise by French Rafale fighter jets following a 2.3 billion euro deal for Greece to buy 18 of the aircraft.

The aircraft will stay at Tanagra base until February 4

The special forces of Greece, Cyprus and the US train as part of joint military exercises which began last month in the area of Souda Bay on the island of Crete. The trilateral drill was designed to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the forces.

Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos visited the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAV) facilities in Tanagra, north of Athens on Monday, to inspect maintenance work on the Hellenic Air Force's military transport aircraft (C-130) and the upgrades being installed on Greek F-16 fighter jets to bring them up to Viper level specifications.

Flying enthusiasts watch Hellenic Air Force helicopters participate in the Tanagra International Air Show, part of Athens Flying Week, at the Tanagra Air Base on Saturday. The air show, which took place for the eighth year in a row, drew some 60,000 visitors from across Greece and 4,000 from abroad.

In its seventh year running, Athens Flying Week features flying shows, educational programs and private aviation conferences, and is expected to draw more than 60,000 spectators. Peruse the display of airplanes and helicopters or enjoy spectacular flying performances by experienced pilots and aviation students.

The Hellenic Navy has received its first modernized P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft from Lockheed Martin, the Greek Defense Ministry said.
The delivery, part of a US-Greece defense agreement that also includes the midlife upgrade of another four aircraft, was marked with a ceremony on Friday at Tanagra Air Base north of Athens.