Greece Completes Rafale Fighter Jet Acquisition, Bolstering Air Power

The Hellenic Air Force has delivered its 24th and final Rafale fighter jet, completing its acquisition of the French-made aircraft. The single-seat jet, serial number 457, arrived at Tanagra Air Base’s 114th Combat Wing after a direct flight from Mérignac, Bordeaux, and has been assigned to the 332nd Squadron.

This latest delivery completes the second supplementary contract that increased Greece's Rafale fleet from 18 to 24. These newly built aircraft were ordered in March 2022 alongside three FDI frigates.

In just four years, Greece has established a fully equipped Rafale squadron, significantly shifting the balance of power in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. The acquisition gives Greece a distinct air superiority advantage over Turkey, as it now possesses 4.5th generation fighter technology, including Meteor medium-range missiles, which Turkey currently lacks. This combination effectively secures the Athens Flight Information Region.

The initial contract for 18 Rafale F3R fighters (12 used and six new) was signed in January 2021. This deal, valued at approximately €2.5 billion, included weapons, initial support, pilot and technician training, and infrastructure upgrades at Tanagra. This first batch consisted of 14 single-seat and four two-seat aircraft.

The first Rafale arrived in Greece in July 2021, with the initial six remaining in France for pilot training before arriving at Tanagra in January 2022. In March 2022, a follow-on order for six additional new Rafales, valued at €1.09 billion, was placed to bring the 332nd Squadron to its full strength of 24 aircraft.