Greece receives last Rafale fighter jet in strategic milestone

·

The Hellenic Air Force has received its final Rafale fighter jet, completing its fleet of 24 French-made aircraft.

The single-seat jet, bearing serial number 457, arrived at the 114th Combat Wing at Tanagra Air Base following a direct flight from Mérignac, Bordeaux. It was formally handed over to the 332nd Squadron.

This delivery marks the fulfilment of a supplementary contract signed in March 2022, which expanded Greece’s initial Rafale fleet from 18 to 24 aircraft. The deal also included three FDI frigates and cost €1.09 billion.

rafale fighter jet
The Hellenic Air Force has received its final Rafale fighter jet.

The first Rafale jet was delivered to Greece in July 2021, with the initial 18 jets (12 pre-owned and six new) costing €2.5 billion, including weapons, infrastructure, and training.

The squadron became operational in January 2022 after extensive pilot training in France.

Equipped with state-of-the-art 4.5th generation Rafale F3R jets and Meteor medium-range missiles, Greece now holds air superiority in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.

Source: Ekathimerini

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Thousands gather at Sydney Town Hall for show-stopping ‘Authentis’ concert

The 'Authentis' concert was held at Sydney Town Hall to mark 30 years since the enthronement of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Isaac Mizan: Last living Greek Jewish survivor of the Holocaust dies at age 94

The last living Greek Jewish survivor of Auschwitz, Isaac Mizan, has passed away in Athens at the age of 94.

29th Greek Film Festival opening night tickets now on sale

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has announced that tickets for the Opening Night of the 29th Greek Film Festival are now on sale.