Greece Acquires 20 F-35 Worth $3.5 Billion, Putting Pressure on Turkey from Various Angles
Turkey is barred from purchasing fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets from the United States due to its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, but in contrast, its “traditional rival,” Greece, has been offered the F-35 despite also possessing the Russian-made S-300 air defense system.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkey is barred from purchasing fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets from the United States due to its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, but in contrast, its “traditional rival,” Greece, has been offered the F-35 despite also possessing the Russian-made S-300 air defense system.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias reportedly approved the purchase of 20 F-35 fighter jets worth $3.5 billion (RM16.30 billion) to establish a strong deterrent force in the region.
The purchase agreement for the Lockheed Martin-manufactured fifth-generation jets has been sent to the United States.
Greece is expected to receive the 20 F-35 jets by 2028, four years after the purchase agreement, with an option to acquire an additional 20 jets.
In total, the U.S. has offered Greece 40 F-35 fighter jets worth $8.6 billion (RM40 billion).
The acquisition aims to bolster Greece’s air force, which already operates French-made Rafale fighter jets acquired recently.
![Britain](http://defencesecurityasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/RAF_MARKS_100_YEARS_WITH_DAY_OF_CENTREPIECE_CELEBRATIONS_MOD_45164374-scaled.jpg)
While the U.S. and another key NATO country, Germany pressures prevents Turkey from purchasing modern fighters like the F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon, Greece is being fully supported by the Washington and Emmanuel Macron-led Paris in modernizing its air force with advanced jets like the F-35 and Rafale.
Turkey now relies on its domestically developed fifth-generation fighter jet, “KAAN,” to compete with the U.S.-made F-35s supplied to Greece.
The acquisition of F-35 and Rafale jets by Greece has sparked allegations of “double standards” by the U.S. and its like-minded allies against Turkey, a key NATO member.
Turkey hosts several NATO military bases and was not only banned from purchasing the F-35 but also from acquiring the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Its efforts to buy new F-16 fighter jets were only recently approved after years of delays due to U.S. political maneuvering.
In January, Washington agreed to sell 40 F-16 Block 70 jets and 80 modernization kits worth $23 billion (RM107 billion) to Turkey, contingent upon Ankara’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership.
![Rafale](http://defencesecurityasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20220121_234336.png)
Turkey had refused Sweden’s NATO membership due to the latter’s protection of leaders from terrorist organizations wanted by Ankara and its failure to address Quran-burning incidents.
Turkey joined the F-35 Lightning II development program in 1999, committing to buy 100 F-35A variants from Lockheed Martin.
As a development partner, Turkey paid $1.4 billion (RM5.4 billion) and contributed to producing about 900 parts in the industrial partnership program.
However, in 2019, Turkey was officially “kicked-out” from the F-35 program by Washington due to its insistence on purchasing the Russian S-400 air defense system.
Senior U.S. Department of Defense officials stated that the F-35 fighter jets cannot “coexist” with the S-400, which Washington classifies as a Russian “intelligence-gathering platform.”
![S-400](http://defencesecurityasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/s-400-1.jpg)
U.S. officials believe Russia would use the S-400 to study the F-35’s capabilities.
“Much of the F-35’s strength lies in its stealth capabilities. The ability to detect its stealth aspects compromises the long-term security of the F-35 program. We only aim to safeguard the program’s long-term security,” a senior U.S. Department of Defense official stated.
Despite this, Washington has not acted against Greece, which also operates the Russian-made S-300 air defense system.
Instead, it has offered Athens the F-35, which Greece has decided to purchase. widening the gap in air force capabilities between “traditional foes”, Turkey and Greece. — DSA