Greece has conveyed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to the US government for the purchase of fifth-generation F-35 fighter planes, the country’s defense minister, Nikos Dendias, announced this week during a tour of a near-Athens air force base.
The signed LOA was sent by the defense ministry’s relevant weapon systems procurement general directorate, and refers to the purchase of 20 F-35A Lightning II planes – at least in the first phase.
The contract for the conventional take-off warplanes and support systems totals 3.47 billion euros.
According to reports, an installment plan bumps bigger payments towards the end of the contract’s duration, beginning from the first day that the first warplane is delivered.
At the same time, Athens retains the option to purchase another 20 F-35 fighter planes, a prospect that would create another squadron. Such an option would be exercised, if deemed necessary, after 2030.
The Greek government had previously signaled its intent to purchase the highly stealthy warplanes as part of a major modernization program for the country’s air force. Dendias had reiterated Athens’ interest in the F-35 earlier this year, while also saying the Hellenic Air Force will sell-off or simply retire surplus fighter jets, such as F-16 Block 30 planes, F-4 Phantoms and the remaining Mirage 2000-5s.
The Hellenic Air Force will ostensibly take delivery of the first F-35 in 2028, based on the a previously announced timetable.
