Greece has outlined a $17 billion, ten-year defence spending plan, including the acquisition of a further 60 fighters along with the purchase of three airborne early-warning (AEW) aircraft.
The Government is expected to buy 50 more Lockheed Martin F-16s, and ten Dassault Mirage 2000s, as well as financing an upgrade programme for the air force's McDonnell Douglas F-4s.
Greek prime minister Costas Simitis unveiled the ambitious acquisition programme on 13 November after a meeting of the national defence council. The AEW requirement is attracting the attention of several manufacturers, but Northrop Grumman's E-2CHawkeye is seen as the favourite.
Transport requirements are expected to be met with additional helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Up to nine Boeing CH-47D Chinooks and six tactical transports (probably Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules) are to be acquired.
The air force's training capability is also to be bolstered with a further 20 trainer aircraft. Although a final choice of aircraft has yet to be made, the Cessna T-37 is the most probable candidate.
Also on the Greek shopping list is the Raytheon Patriot surface-to-air missile system. Up to ten Patriot batteries are to be bought to provide air defence around the cities of Athens and Salonika as well as the island of Crete.
Source: Flight International
