Application for 20 more aircraft F-35 approved by the parliamentary committee on weapons programs, which accepted the recommendation of the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, who emphasized that the acquisition of F-35 aircraft guarantees the ability to deter any threat to the country from anywhere in the world.
Delivery to Greece 40 F-35 aircraft by Lockheed Martin, which was announced by Prime Minister Mitsotakis, led to a major financial and political scandal, which, however, calmed down suspiciously quickly. The reason for it was the data that, according to the testimony of the Defense Committee of the Finnish Parliament on the corresponding purchase of F-35s just two years ago (signed in February 2022), they were purchased for approximately… half of the price that would be paid Greece!
Dendias stressed that these are the most modern aircraft currently in operation and spoke of “an important weapon that will give the Air Force greater capabilities.” The Minister of National Defense briefed the commission on Agenda 2030 and, in particular, on the start of a study on Greece's participation in the Constellation frigate program, the next generation of frigates of the US Navy.
“If we decide to build it after this initial phase, it will become an important weapon for the Navy. It will be the second major weapon after the Belhara frigates that can support the Navy's course into the 21st century.” – he said.
The New Democracy and PASOK parties expressed a positive opinion, while SYRIZA, KKE, Hellenic Solution and Niki expressed a negative opinion. The opposition stated that for Greece, participation in such grandiose arms procurement programs would be an unbearable burden and would further worsen the standard of living of the country's population.
Athens News previously reported that the US State Department in January 2024 approved the sale of forty F-35A fighters to Greece for $8.6 billion and a package of weapons systems that includes transport aircraft, frigates and armored vehicles provided to Greece at minimal cost.
Delivery to Greece 40 F-35 aircraft by Lockheed Martin, announced by Prime Minister Mitsotakis, led to a major financial and political scandal, which, however, calmed down suspiciously quickly. The reason for it was the data that, according to the testimony of the Defense Committee of the Finnish Parliament on the corresponding purchase of F-35s just two years ago (signed in February 2022), they were purchased for approximately… half of the price that would be paid Greece!
In particular, Finland entered into a deal worth $9.4 billion for 64 F-35 Block 4 fighter jets (exactly the same version as those planned deliver for Greece), but with a full package of weapons and support! Finland paid 146.87 million for each F-35 Block4, including weapons and spare parts.
Greek F-35s will cost $8.6 billion, or $215 million per unit(!). WITHOUT THE COST OF WEAPONS, WITHOUT TRAINING OF PILOTS AND TECHNICIANS, AND WITHOUT SPARE PARTS, which will increase the price to at least 250, and maybe up to 280 million dollars apiece!
Please note, as reported by a specialized American publication breakingdefense.com, Locheed Martin itself stated in November 2021 that The price of each F-35 is “less than $80 million,” that is, without support, spare parts and weapons.
The price for purchasing another 20 F-35s has not yet been announced. It is not yet known what price Lockheed Martin will set for Greece for the additional delivery of 20 aircraft. However, it is already clear that the Greeks will have to tighten their belts seriously to achieve this.
In particular, Finland entered into a deal worth $9.4 billion for 64 F-35 Block 4 fighter jets (exactly the same version as those planned deliver for Greece), but with a full package of weapons and support! Finland paid 146.87 million for each F-35 Block4, including weapons and spare parts.
Greek F-35s will cost $8.6 billion, or $215 million per unit(!). WITHOUT THE COST OF WEAPONS, WITHOUT TRAINING OF PILOTS AND TECHNICIANS, AND WITHOUT SPARE PARTS, which will increase the price to at least 250, and maybe up to 280 million dollars apiece!
Please note, as reported by a specialized American publication breakingdefense.com, Locheed Martin itself stated in November 2021 that The price of each F-35 is “less than $80 million,” that is, without support, spare parts and weapons.
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