In what would constitute a significant shift in its future modernization plans, the Hellenic Air Force is reportedly evaluating the purchase of additional F-35 stealth fighters from the U.S., which would effectively rule out continuing the upgrade of its remaining fleet of 38 F-16 Block 50 aircraft. According to local media reports, the Greek government is interested in acquiring between 8 and 12 fifth-generation aircraft, which would join the 20 F-35s already ordered by the Air Force and currently in production, with the first deliveries expected in 2028.
Expanding on the details, sources in Athens indicate that the decision is largely driven by significant delays affecting the F-16 Block 50 modernization program to the Block 70 standard, even though reports at the end of last year suggested renewed momentum from the Greek government on the project. Analysts point out that the country’s main concern is that the upgraded fleet would already be outdated by the time it is scheduled to be completed—between 2031 and 2032.
This does not imply that Greece will lack F-16s in the future, as the country has already received some aircraft upgraded to the Viper configuration and integrated them into operational units. According to Athens, these aircraft are fully interoperable with the 24 Rafale fighters acquired from France, as well as with the previously mentioned F-35s.
In this way, the Hellenic Air Force would form a robust fighter fleet capable of retiring its oldest aircraft, which also originate from France and the U.S. This includes its now-obsolete F-4 Phantom II, Mirage 2000, and F-16 Block 30 fighters. In the case of the latter, they were considered for inclusion in a military assistance package to Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion, alongside commitments from several European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Norway. Specifically, Greece operates a fleet of 34 F-16C and 6 F-16D Block 30 aircraft, which arrived in the country in the late 1980s.
Similar considerations could apply to the Mirage 2000s following the French Air Force’s transfer of aircraft to Ukraine, as the Greek Air Force currently operates some of the best-equipped examples, capable of deploying AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, MBDA MICA air-to-air missiles, and SCALP-EG cruise missiles. The Phantom II fleet, however, appears less promising, given the limited number of current users, with South Korea being the most recent operator to retire them.
Finally, regarding the broader Greek airpower modernization program, it is worth noting that the country is also working on renewing its transport aircraft fleet, which currently consists of C-130 models. Among the main candidates, local media reports indicate that the Hellenic Air Force is considering the C-130J, and more recently, Embraer’s C-390. The latter could have an advantage due to its selection by several European countries, potentially allowing Athens to negotiate a purchase using similar mechanisms, particularly via Portugal.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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