In France today, Wednesday 21 July, will find the Minister of National Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos, accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff of the National Defence Staff (GNDF), General Konstantinos Floros and the Chief of the General Staff of the Air Force (GAF), Vice Admiral Georgios Blioumis, for the delivery ceremony of the first of 18 fighter aircraft Rafale that will enhance the Greek Air Force.
The ceremony will take place at the Dassault Aviation facility at the air base in Eastre in southern France.
First six Rafale aircraft to be delivered in 2021
In total, Greece will receive 18 aircraft, of which 12 used and 6 new.
The first six 4th generation Rafale aircraft will be second-hand and will be delivered to Greece in 2021. The six new fighters will be delivered in spring 2022, while the last six used fighters are expected to be delivered in early 2023.
In the €2.32 billion deal, €1.92 billion is for the value of the aircraft and the remaining €400 million is for weapons systems (Meteor missiles and necessary upgrades to existing Mica, Scalp and Ecoxet missiles).
Rafale, multi-role fighters
The name Rafale means «gust of wind» while the aircraft are already in service with the French Air Force and the French Navy.
These are multi-role fighters, capable of performing a variety of missions (reconnaissance, strike, etc.) simultaneously.
The Greek Rafale squadron in Tanagra
The Greek Rafale squadron will be based at the 114th Combat Wing at Tanagra Air Base.
Already, Greek pilots and ground staff (technicians) are being trained in France in order to be ready to support the needs of the Air Force when the aircraft arrive in Greece.
