F-35, Patriot and drones: Greece is rebuilding its air force

Greece prepares the Air Force for a new era: F-35modernized F-16 Viper, Rafaledrones, Patriot and space technology.

Greek Air Force are entering one of the most serious stages of modernization in recent decades. Future on the agenda F-35already delivered Rafalemodernized F-16 Viperdrones, systems Patriot and new elements of space surveillance.

The reason for a new discussion was an interview with the boss Γενικό Επιτελείο Αεροπορίας (ΓΕΑGeneral Staff of the Air Force) Lieutenant General Demosthenes Grigoriadis TV channel Star Κεντρικής Ελλάδος. After his words about systems Patriot The Greek Pentagon had to give additional clarifications, which is what he writes about Ethnos.

In an interview, Grigoriadis stated that he had not received a new command or recommendation on a number of issues, and what he knew related to the need to remove the batteries Patriot from Didimotichowhich has already been done. Answering questions about other systems and types of aircraft, he actually emphasized that he does not make such decisions on his own: the head of ΓΕΑ is the executive body, and strategic instructions come from Γενικό Επιτελείο Εθνικής Άμυνας (ΓΕΕΘΑGeneral Staff of National Defense) and political leadership.

According to Ethnossources in the Pentagon explained that the head of ΓΕΑ did not want to go into details of the content or timing of the implementation of General Staff orders. His words applied only to orders already executed. The publication also recalled that ΚΥΣΕΑ previously decided to return the batteries to the bases Patriotwhich were transferred to Didimoticho and on Karpathos.

Against this background, some of the media, including the Turkish publication Yeni Şafaklinked Grigoriadis’ interview to the broader topic of Greek Air Force modernization and future entry F-35. However, it is the Turkish presentation that should be treated with caution: on Greek defense issues, especially in the context of Turkey, Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, such publications require double-checking.

According to reports, the first F-35 Lightning II may appear at Greece’s disposal towards the end of the decade. Date 2029which is called individual publications, is more correct to perceive as a guideline, and not as a finally confirmed schedule. In such programs, between “expected” and “the plane is at a Greek base” there are usually years of contracts, training, infrastructure and bureaucracy that also wants its own little parade.

The very fact of the course F-35 at the same time confirmed. According to ReutersGreece, as part of its defense program until 2036, plans large-scale purchases of weapons, including 20 F-35 fightersnew drones, communications satellite, modernization F-16 and the development of a multi-level air defense system.

F-35 should be the most technologically complex element of this program. For the Air Force, this is not just a new aircraft, but a transition to a different logic of combat: stealth, data exchange, working in a single network and the ability to see the situation before the enemy. The aircraft in modern warfare look less and less like “wings with missiles” and more and more like a flying data processing center with very expensive maintenance.

In parallel, Greece continues to modernize F-16 to the level Viper. In March, Reuters reported that a parliamentary committee had approved the project by about 4 billion eurosincluding a multi-level air defense and anti-drone defense system, as well as modernization of more 38 F-16 Block 50 to the level Viper.

In the new architecture of the Greek Air Force Rafale, F-16 Viper and future F-35 should work not as separate beautiful purchases for military parades, but as elements of a single system. The point of such modernization is to detect threats faster, transmit data more accurately, carry out strikes more effectively and better protect airspace.

A separate area is cooperation with France. According to the original publications, Greek and French experts discuss research in the areas artificial intelligencehigh-precision target designation and air operations planning. This logically fits into the already existing partnership between Athens and Paris after the purchase Rafale and French frigates.

The Air Force is also discussing the creation of a new unit – Space Applications Command. Its mission is to strengthen Greece’s capabilities in satellite surveillance, communications, navigation and support of military operations. The name sounds almost fantastic, but modern defense has long gone to a place where, without space data, even a routine operation begins to go blind.

Grigoriadis also spoke about the prospects of drone concepts “faithful wingman”. Such devices can work together with manned aircraft: conduct reconnaissance, identify targets, carry out electronic warfare tasks, or take on the most risky areas of the operation. Simply put, the pilot remains in charge, and next to him appears an unmanned partner, whom it is not a pity to send to places where it would be better not to send a person.

Systems Patriot remain a separate sensitive topic. Their movement, return to base and the public commentary around it show that Greece is moving to a more flexible defense model: batteries, aircraft, navy, drones and future air defense systems should not work in silos, but in a common network. It sounds nice, but in practice it means hard technical work, expensive integration and constant political nervousness.

Of particular importance is Eastern Mediterranean and direction Cyprus. In-flight refueling capabilities, new aircraft, frigates and long-range surveillance capabilities extend the range of Greek forces. For Athens, this is not a question of theory, but of a real balance with Turkey, which is also actively developing its unmanned, aviation and maritime capabilities.

The main conclusion is simple: the Greek Air Force is no longer being modernized in a targeted manner. They are being rebuilt as a system. F-35, Rafale, F-16 Viper, Patriotdrones, satellites and new command structures are all part of the same attempt to create a modern defense network. Another thing is that between a beautiful strategy and real combat readiness there is always money, deadlines, training, maintenance and the Greek bureaucracy, which can slow down even supersonic aviation.

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