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.
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
