US Fighter companies are becoming concerned that the competition for a new front-line fighter for the Greek air force could be hit by increasing disquiet in Washington about the escalation of tension between Greece and Turkey.
"There is concern over maintaining stability in the region without escalating [tension]," says one industrial source, adding that questions are being raised in Congress about whether to allow a sale to go ahead. Two US companies are bidding to meet the Greek requirement: Boeing with the F-15E and Lockheed Martin with the F-16 Block 50 Plus.
The F-15E bid is particularly vulnerable, since it introduces a capability which does not exist in this region. While the Greek air force already flies F-16s, the upgraded version on offer moves it much closer to F-15 capabilities.
Despite the politicians' concerns, the companies involved in the competition do not believe that the sales will be blocked. "We have always stood by our allies, and I think, in the end, whatever is selected will be approved," says one US official.
European rivals for the requirement are Eurofighter, offering the Typhoon; Dassault, with the 2000-5; and Sukhoi with the Su-27 and Su-30. According to the bidders, the Greek request for information covered the acquisition of up to 60 aircraft, to be delivered as soon as possible.
As the newest aircraft on the Greek candidates' list, the Typhoon will not become available for export until at least 2004. "If they are prepared to consider Eurofighter, then they must be prepared to wait a few years," says Dasa, which is leading the Typhoon bid in Greece.
In the meantime, the country has various interim possibilities to strengthen its fighter force. Greece is in the middle of modernising 39 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantoms within a Dasa-led avionics upgrade programme (AUP). The first aircraft is being upgraded by Dasa at its Manching facility in Germany, and should fly in February. Subsequent upgrades are to be carried out by Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI).
Offers of upgrades to the current F-16C/D fleet have been tabled by Lockheed Martin, and government-to-government talks are also under way about the possible procurement of "about a squadron" - 18-24 units - of used aircraft as a short-term boost to the air force before the new fighter is available. Ex-US Air Force F-16A/Bs could be upgraded to meet Greek air force needs.
One issue which would have to be addressed is that the older aircraft have Pratt & Whitney powerplants, whereas the current Greek F-16s fly with General Electric engines.
Lockheed Martin says it can begin deliveries of the Block 50 plus within 36 months of an order, adding that it expects the decision to be taken early next year. The manufacturer says the Greek air force is interested in more range, better radar and improved weapons and systems capability, compared with current Greek F-16s.
The two-seat Block 50 Plus has conformal fuel tanks mounted either side of the fuselage spine, which it says puts the aircraft "in the same range class as the F-15". The dorsal fairing along the fuselage spine has been enlarged to accommodate additional electronic warfare equipment, and the aircraft also features an upgraded mission computer and helmet-mounted sight.
Source: Flight International
