The modernization and strengthening program of the Hellenic Air Force’s combat fleet has reached a new milestone. This was confirmed with the delivery of the 30th F-16 upgraded to the Block 72 configuration on January 15, according to a post by Lockheed Martin Europe on its social media channels.
Since the late 1980s, Greece has been a major operator of F-16 fighters in various versions. Overall, the Hellenic Air Force operates a total of 170 units of the U.S.-made fighter jet, spanning Blocks 30, 50, 52+, and 52+ Advanced.

Later, in an effort to strengthen and maintain updated combat capabilities, Greece reached an agreement with the United States and Lockheed Martin to modernize 83 Block 52+/52+ Advanced aircraft to the Block 70/72 version, also known as the F-16V. The aircraft upgrades are being carried out locally with the participation of Hellenic Aerospace Industries, through a total investment of $1.5 billion.
However, this program has faced difficulties and some delays. These issues were addressed in recent months with policy changes regarding contracting and workforce management in the production line. Prior to these adjustments, local firms involved in the upgrades experienced a significant loss of skilled workers, which affected the delivery schedules of aircraft to the Hellenic Air Force.

Athens implemented an incentive program to retain highly qualified personnel and adhere to the revised delivery schedule, setting a target of 30 F-16s upgraded to Block 72 by the end of 2024.
As indicated by the recent Lockheed Martin Europe publication, this milestone was recently achieved with the delivery of a modernized two-seat aircraft by Hellenic Aerospace Industries. This achievement aligns with Greece’s Ministry of Defense’s broader strategy for resource optimization and restructuring of the country’s armed forces.
Regarding the F-16 fleet, Greece currently operates several combat aircraft fleets across different Blocks, which increases maintenance and sustainment costs. In the future, it is expected that Greece’s F-16 fleet will focus entirely on the upgraded Block 70 models, with Block 30 and 50 aircraft potentially being made available for transfer to other nations.



This rationalization effort also extends to other combat platforms in service, including the aging F-4 Phantom II and Mirage 2000 aircraft, both of which are projected for retirement in the near term. The Mirage 2000 fleet will be replaced by the Rafale F3R, with Greece having already completed the acquisition of 24 units from France.
Additionally, this restructuring of aerial assets aims to allocate resources for Greece’s future acquisition of 20 new F-35A stealth fighters, thereby concentrating the combat fleet around the fifth-generation stealth aircraft, Dassault Rafales, and upgraded Vipers.
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