Greece has sent a letter of request to the United States to buy a squadron of F-35 fighter jets, the country’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, told reporters at the conclusion of the NATO summit in Madrid.
Mitsotakis said it was part of the nation’s efforts to bolster its defence capabilities amid renewed tensions with neighbouring Turkey.
WATCH Mitsotakis’ press conference at the end of the NATO summit here:
“Part of this procedure is the sending of the Letter of Request, which has occurred in recent days,” Mitsotakis said, noting it was only the beginning of a lengthy process with the delivery of the aircraft estimated for 2027 or 2028.
Greek officials said one squadron would consist of 20 planes.
The Greek Prime Minister added: “I believe that this has a special significance for the possibility of our country to plan significant defence investments in the long run.”
“This is our obligation, this is our responsibility, to shield the country and to make decisions that can be politically “reaped” by our successors.”
Πρόθεσή μας είναι να αποκτήσουμε μια μοίρα F-35, με πιθανή option να αποκτήσουμε και μια δεύτερη. Μέρος της διαδικασίας αυτής είναι και η αποστολή του Letter of Request. Είναι η αρχή -θέλω να το τονίσω- μιας μακράς διαδικασίας. https://t.co/QXgZdDinob pic.twitter.com/KFinls2bzN
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) June 30, 2022
Greece has already ordered 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets and three French frigates.
SOURCE: AP NEWS
