French DM expected in Athens on Monday to sign Rafale jet deal

As part of ongoing efforts to further enhance bilateral relations, French Defense Minister Florence Parly will visit Athens on Monday to sign the agreement for Greece's purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets.

Greek MPs approved six new and 12 used Rafale aircraft from France for €2.5 billion ($3.04 billion) earlier this month.

Parly, who also spoke with her Greek counterpart Nikos Panagiotopoulos yesterday on the phone, is also expected to bring a proposal for the sale of Belharra frigates and for a ship to be used by Greece in the intermediate phase.

Belharra is the name assigned to the export version of the FDI (Fregate de Taille Intermediaire) medium-size frigates built for the French Navy.