Greece is close to purchasing 40 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters

Greece is close to purchasing fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. The official application was submitted in the summer of 2022.

The deal was approved by Senator Robert Menendez. And now James Risch, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has signed the document.

The US State Department will be able to send a request to the US Congress for approval of the deal. Greece wants to get its first F-35 in 2028. If all goes according to plan, deliveries will continue until 2033.

In June 2022, Greece placed an order for 20 fifth generation combat aircraft with an option to add another 20 fighters. The Hellenic Air Force now operates fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets. The service plans to upgrade 83 of them to the latest F-16V Block 70/72.