Greece arms with american F-16 aircrafts

The governments of Greece and the United States have signed an agreement for the sale of 30 additional Lockheed Martin Advanced F-16 Block 52+ aircraft to Greece, with an option for an additional 10 aircraft.

The new aircraft will supplement the existing fleet of Hellenic Air Force F-16 aircraft and continue its modernization.

The total program value for the initial 30 aircraft is approximately USD 1.99 B U.S. Lockheed Martin's portion of the total program is estimated at USD 1.2 B.

Spilios Spiliotopoulos, Greece's Defense Minister, expressed satisfaction with the new procurement, which will meet the defense capability needs of Greece and the near-term operational requirements of the HAF.

The Hellenic Air Force will take delivery of the new aircraft in 2009.

Lockheed Martin is expected to bid in a tender for the modernization of Bulgaria's air forces, offering its advanced F-16 fighter, Sofia News Agency reports.

V.Y.