Greece and Israel agree on air force flight training centre in Kalamata

Greek-Israeli cooperation in the field of defense 'flies' higher.

After five months of negotiations, Greece and Israel have reached an agreement for the transformation of Kalamata Airport into a flight training center.

The agreement was presented last week to the relevant parliamentary committee by Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos.

According to sources, Israeli company Elbit was chosen over the Canadian CAE in the "air battle" to undertake the project.

The cost of the proposal amounts to €1.375 billion over a period of 22 years.

The program will be implemented via an intergovernmental agreement with Israel.

It is part of the Memorandum of Defense Cooperation between Greece and Israel, based on the common geostrategic and geopolitical interests of the two countries in the wider region.

The training center will not only be for pilots of the Hellenic Air Force, but also for pilots of other countries.

Greece, Cyprus and Israel agree to boost defence cooperation

Last month Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos met with his counterparts from Cyprus, Charalambos Petrides, and Israel, Benny Gantz.

Among issues they discussed was collaboration in exercises, training, exchange of information, naval safety and cybersecurity.

“Our joint goal is to implement a long-term, cohesive and substantial strategic collaboration, based on international law and the principles of good neighbourliness with all regions of the area,” Panagiotopoulos said.