In an effort to increase its relative air force advantage over regional foe Turkey, Greece has begun operations at a brand-new international pilot training facility that was jointly developed by Israel and Greece.
Elbit, an Israeli defence contractor, will assist in managing the facility, which is situated on an air force base outside of the southern Greek city of Kalamata. The Israel defence contractor and the Greek government reached a $1.65 billion agreement last year.
The new training centre started operating on Friday with 14 of an expected 25 T-6 single-engine turboprop aircraft.
The fleet is set to expand next year with the delivery of 19 Italian-built M-346 training jets equipped with embedded virtual avionics that simulate combat and flight scenarios.
In an effort to surpass Turkey, Greece is modernising its military, with a strong emphasis on its air force, Athens is updating its ageing F-16 fighter jet fleet, purchasing modern French-built Rafale fighters, and aspiring to join the American F-35 jet programme.
Greece and Turkey, both NATO members, continue to disagree over maritime boundaries and Turkey’s claim that Greece’s military presence on islands in the east of its territory breaches international law.
Source: AP News
