Greek Parliament to vote on purchasing Rafale fighter jets

Greece’s parliament will this week vote on a bill opening the way for the purchase of 18 French-made Rafale fighter jets.

Greece’s announcement to acquire 18 Rafale jets illustrates the strength of the partnership that has linked the Greek Air Force with French military industry for more than 45 years. It also demonstrates the enduring strategic relationship between Greece and France.

The agreement is expected to be signed by both countries’ ministers in Athens this month.

Panagiotopoulos: This is a new era for the Greek Armed Forces

The Rafale jets will include 12 aircraft currently in service with the French military and six new planes to be built by Dassault Aviation.

The debate in parliamentary committees started on Tuesday, with a vote planned by the end of the week.

French-made Rafale fighter jets will give Greece a major advantage

Undoubtedly, the French-made Rafale fighter jet is an advantage to the Greek Air Force as it is a 4th generation aircraft, a generation more advanced than the F-16, which first flew as a prototype in 1973.

Greece and Turkey to begin exploratory talks on January 25

In other news, the 61st first round of exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey will start on January 25 in Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολη, Turkish: İstanbul), the Greek Foreign Ministry announced.

The Turkish side contacted Greece and proposed that the 61st round of Exploratory Contacts take place in Istanbul on January 25, 2021.

Athens accepted the invitation.