October 13, 2026

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Türkiye receives 60 Eurofighters: Greek advantage with Rafale under threat


Purchase 40 + 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters Turkey creates a serious strategic problem for Greece, especially regarding aircraft Rafalewhich are available Air Force countries.

This deal, valued at $10.7 billion, changes the entire system air balance between Athens And Ankara.

If the supply agreement is indeed signed during the Prime Minister’s visit Keira Starmer to Ankara, Türkiye may gain an advantage in the near future. Eurofighter Typhoon superior to the Rafale in air combat: it is capable of supersonic flight without the use of afterburner and uses missiles more effectively Meteor With ramjet technology.

For now Greek Air Force retain their advantage: by the end of the year they will have 70 aircraft with AESA radars – 46 F-16 Vipers and 24 Rafales. This is a critical benefit because Turkey does not yet have a single aircraft with a similar radar. However, once you get the Eurofighter, this advantage will quickly disappear.

Türkiye intends to form two squadrons of 20-24 used aircraft Tranche 3purchased from Qatar And Omanalso equipped with AESA radars. Then the British side will supply another 40 new Tranche 4 within three years. Thus, the Turkish Air Force will receive up to 65 4++ generation fighters.

Version Tranche 4 further optimized for missions air-groundwhile Rafale traditionally considered stronger in shock operations. However, in air battles the Eurofighter is comparable only to the American F-22.

At the same time, Türkiye is demanding permission from the United States to purchase more 40 new F-16 Vipers. Combined with its huge park attack drones this increases the threat to Greece. Despite the fact that the president Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to suppress opposition, including imprisonment Ekrema ImamogluWestern allies remain ready to support Ankara.

The question facing Athens is: How to respond to Turkey’s new advantage? After choosing in favor Rafale Greece should probably expand its fleet of fighter jets of this type. It is important to analyze the experience Indian Air Forcewhere the Rafales were defeated in mock battles with Pakistani J-10s.

Of particular concern is the fact that Türkiye has access to technical information about the Rafale through joint exercises with Qatarwhereas Greece knows virtually nothing about the characteristics of the Eurofighter. This is exactly what it is new strategic inequality.





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