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Thursday, June 4, 2026

Senate Committee approves US-Greece Defense and Partnership Act 2021

The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved the bipartisan bill to bolster the United States’ defense partnership with Greece, the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021.

The bipartisan legislation boosts support for Greek military modernization by authorizing new transfers of American military equipment and fostering increased multilateral engagement among Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States.

Key provisions of the legislation include:

Support for Greek Military Modernization:

Authorizes European Recapitalization Incentive Program (ERIP) assistance to Greece to support Greece’s transition away from Russian-produced military equipment

Authorizes $1.8 million per year in International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance to Greece for FY2022 – 2026

Expresses the Sense of Congress that the U.S. should provide direct loans to Greece for the procurement of defense articles, defense services, and design and construction services pursuant to the further development of Greece’s military force

Transfer of American Military Equipment to Greece:

Authorizes expedited delivery of any future F-35 aircraft ordered by Greece

Requires the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, to submit a report to Congress on Greece’s defense needs and how the United States will seek to address such needs through transfers of excess defense equipment to Greece

Parliamentary Engagement within the 3+1 Framework:

Authorizes the establishment of an interparliamentary group among Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States to serve as the legislative component of the 3+1 process launched among the governments in March 2019

Menendez – Rubio welcome approval

The bipartisan legislation boosts support for Greece’s military modernization by authorizing new transfers of American military equipment and fostering increased multilateral engagement among Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States.

Bob Menendez (Democrats), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Marco Rubio (Republicans, the  Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations welcomed the approval.

“As this important bipartisan legislation heads to the Senate floor for full consideration, we must remain committed to ensuring our nation enhances its defense cooperation with Greece, a valued NATO ally,” Rubio said. “I thank my committee colleagues for voting to send this bill to the Senate floor in support of one of our nation’s most important Eastern Mediterranean partners and a fellow democracy.”

“I am very proud to see the Senate Foreign Relations Committee come together in support of this common sense legislation that not only bolsters Greece’s efforts to modernize its armed forces, but also strengthens our bilateral defense relationship and enduring ties with our instrumental Hellenic partners,” Menendez said.

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