The Prime Minister of Greece has announced plans to obtain 18 Rafale fighters for its airforce and upgrade 10 of its Mirage 2000s

Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the 18 new French-made Rafale fighter planes would replace its ageing Mirage 2000 fighters in the annual state of the economy speech. The Mirage 2000s will be upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 standard.

Order includes 12 second-hand aircraft from France

To reduce the overall cost of the programme, Greece will purchase 12 of the aircraft second-hand aircraft from the French Air Force. The used planes meet standard F3-O4T deployed in the Air Force between the end of 2012 and 2018. The new procurements also include the purchase of four navy helicopters and four frigates

Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier said: “I am delighted with this announcement, which reinforces the exceptional relationship we have had with Greece for nearly half a century, and I thank the Greek authorities for their confidence in us once again.”

“Dassault Aviation is fully mobilised to meet the operational needs expressed by the Greek Air Force, and thus contribute to ensuring Greece’s sovereignty and the safety of the Greek people.”

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