Greece awards $280 million contract to Lockheed Martin for upgrade of its F-16 fighter jet fleet

The Greek government has awarded a $280 million contract to Lockheed Martin Corporation to upgrade its F-16 fighter jet fleet over the next seven years, according to media reports.

The DW has reported that Lockheed Martin and Greece signed the deal this week after finalizing details on Lockheed’s use of a Greek subcontractor.

The defense minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, told parliament earlier this month that 84 F-16 jets would be upgraded by 2027 to the advanced-tech Viper class in a program estimated at $1.5 billion.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

He said the speed of the upgrade would be determined by how many aircraft are required to remain in active service.

Currently, Greece boasts about a fleet of some 150 F-16 fighters.

The U.S. State Department approved the potential deal in 2017, saying it advanced U.S. objectives “by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally which is an important partner for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”

The country has expanded defense ties with the United States in recent years, wary of Turkey’s military expansion. Disputes between the neighbors over airspace and maritime boundaries, as well as drilling rights for oil and gas in the East Mediterranean, remain unresolved.

That tension has escalated in recent months after Turkey sent drilling vessels off the northern coast of war-divided Cyprus and reached a maritime pact with Libya seen as challenging agreements between Greece, Israel, Cyprus and Egypt.

If you would like to show your support for what we are doing, here's where to do it.

If you wish to report grammatical or factual errors within our news articles, you can let us know by using the online feedback form.

Executive Editor

About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

TRENDING NOW

Ukraine unveils new “Bohdana-BG” artillery system

Ukraine has introduced a prototype of its latest towed artillery system, the "Bohdana-BG," to international partners. According to reports from Militarny, this new artillery system...