November 10, 2022
Greece, Politics
Greece has received two new Rafale F32 jets from France, the Hellenic Air Force General Staff announced on Tuesday, on the name-day of its patron saint Archangel Michael. The two new fighter jets will be incorporated into the 332 All-Weather Squadron of the 114 Combat Wing, based at Tanagra Air …
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March 25, 2022
Greece, Politics
The grand military parade held annually on March 25, to celebrate Greece’s Independence Day and 201st anniversary since the start of the 1821 revolution against the Ottoman occupation took place in Athens. Greece’s national holiday coincides with the religious feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin. Parade short video: Th …
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March 25, 2022
Greece, Politics
Greece and France signed a new arms deal on Thursday with Athens to buy three Belharra frigates and six more Rafale fighter jets. The Rafale fighter jets will be sold to Greece by Dassault Aviation and would be delivered from the summer of 2024, bringing the Hellenic Air Force’s fleet …
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February 15, 2022
Uncategorized
Main opposition leader Alexis Tsipras, head of the SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, told the Parliament that his party supports the purchase of the new frigates but it is not prepared to give the government “carte blanche” regarding armaments spending. “No one doubts the importance of increasing the country’s deterrent capacity but it …
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February 9, 2022
Greece, Politics
Γhe Greek government tabled three major armament contracts to the Parliament for ratification on Wednesday. The contracts refer to the purchase of 18 Rafale fighter aircraft and 3 Belharra frigates from France as well of 44 Sea Hake Mod 4 submarine torpedoes from Germany. The discussion on ratifying the contracts …
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January 19, 2022
FEATURED, Greece, Politics
The roaring sound of Greece’s first six Rafale flying over the Acropolis at Wednesday noon were heard all over the Greek capital. It must have been the most expensive sound ever heard. The flying cost for each super-fighter jet per hour is estimated to be at least 14,000 euros. The …
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January 18, 2022
Greece, Politics
The first 6 of 24 Rafale fighter jets for Greece’s Air Force are expected to arrive in the country on Wednesday. They will take off from Istres in France and will land at the 114 Tanagra Air Base. The Rafale jests are scheduled to fly over the Acropolis shortly after …
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September 30, 2021
FEATURED, Greece, Politics
Greece’s prime minister said Thursday that he has no intention of competing against Turkey in an arms race and hopes to resolve differences with the neighboring country through dialogue, but that Greece must defend its territory and sovereignty. Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ comments Thursday came two days after Greece signed a defense …
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September 13, 2021
FEATURED, Greece, Politics
Greece is increasing its order of Dassault-made Rafale jets to 24 from 18, France’s Defence Minister said on Sunday, a day after the Greek Prime Minister announced the planned purchase during his speech at Thessaloniki International Fair. “Excellent news. Greece has just announced its intention to buy six extra Rafales. …
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September 6, 2021
World
The pilots of the two French Rafale fighter aircraft and the “Patrouille de France” aerobatic display team found a special way to bid farewell to the city of Athens on Monday morning: They flew in formation above the Acropolis using the colors of the Greek flag. The formation was accompanied …
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July 21, 2021
Greece
Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos visited France on Wednesday to attend the handover ceremony of the first of the 18 Rafale fighter jets that will join the Greek Air Force. Panagiotopoulos is accompanied by the Chief of the Defense General Staff General Konstantinos Floros and the Chief of the Defence …
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February 3, 2021
Greece, Politics
Four Rafale fighter jets of the French Air Force arrived in Tanagra air base by Athens ahead of the joint exercise “Skyros 2021” with Mirage 2000 and F-16 the Greek Air Force. This is the “official first” of the French Rafale in the Greek skies after France and Greece signed …
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January 25, 2021
Greece, Politics
Greece and France signed on Monday a 2.3 billion euro deal for the purchase of 18 Rafale fighter jets, as tensions with Turkey remain high. Florence Parly, the French defense minister, signed the agreement in Athens to deliver 12 used and six new aircraft built by Dassault Aviation over two …
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January 14, 2021
Greece, Politics
With a broad majority the Greek parliament approved at a plenary vote the Defense Ministry bill for the acquisition of 18 French Rafale fighter jets on Thursday evening. The bill was voted in favor by ruling New Democracy, main opposition party SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, Movement for Change (KINAL) and Greek Solution; …
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January 12, 2021
Greece, Politics
A draft bill of the Ministry of Defense for the acquisition of 18 French Rafale fighter aircraft has been submitted to the Defense Committee of the Greek Parliament, a step before the voting. The bill with the title “Approval of draft defense contracts” contains five articles. The main ones are …
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December 17, 2020
Greece, Politics
Greece’s government said on Thursday it will pay 2.32 billion euros ($2.8 billion) for the purchase of 18 French-made Rafale fighter jets and an upgrade of compatible missiles, under a major military overhaul amid tensions with neighboring Turkey. The acquisition of French fighter jets will take place gradually within the …
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December 15, 2020
Greece, Politics
Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday evening that the deal for the purchase of 18 French-made Rafale fighter jets will be signed in the coming days. Speaking at the Parliament during the budget debated, Mitsotakis said that the delivery of the Rafale jets will be 20201. A few …
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September 12, 2020
FEATURED, Greece, Politics
Amid ongoing tension with neighboring Turkey and support from France, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Saturday evening that the Greek Armed Forces will acquire next to weapons also 18 Rafale and 4 new frigates. From the floor of Thessaloniki HELLEXPO, the Prime Minister said that Greek Defense has …
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September 7, 2020
FEATURED, Greece, Politics
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Corsica on September 10, government spokesman Stelios Petsas announced on Monday morning. The meeting will take place before the Summit of the countries of European South, MED 7, where leaders from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, …
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September 4, 2020
Politics, World
Greece’s goals to acquire new fighter jets and upgrade its existing air force could see the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) attain a very formidable qualitative edge over its Turkish rival by the end of the 2020s, notes an article posted on magazine Forbes. The articles lists the Greek plans to …
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