The Israeli Ministry of Defence is supporting an Elisra bid to supply the Greek air force with electronic warfare equipment for its latest batch of Lockheed Martin F-16s. The move marks a shift in Israeli Government policy.
Elisra has teamed with Greece's national aerospace company Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI) to bid against a Litton/Raytheon consortium for the $150 million contract. A selection is expected by the end of the year.
The Israeli MoD is supporting the Elisra bid after changing its policy towards Israeli defence companies operating in Greece. Close ties between Israel and Turkey - including McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom upgrades and the supply of Popeye precision-guided munitions - have stifled recent bids into Greece.
The Elisra advanced self-protection suite (ASPS) is based on the company's experience in developing and manufacturing the electronic warfare suites for the Israeli air force's Boeing F-15Is. Elisra will supply the electronic warfare equipment for 50 F-16Is ordered by the Israeli air force in July.
Greek Minister of Defence Akis Tsochatzopoulos was briefed on the ASPS during a visit to Elisra earlier this month. The bid was discussed in a meeting between the Greek minister and Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak.
Greece ordered 50 F-16s and 15 Dassault Mirage 2000-5MkIIs earlier this year. The F-16C/Ds are to Block 50-plus standard with colour displays, modular mission computers, improved radars and long-range conformal fuel tanks.
Source: Flight International
