Greece Air-Force Greek Rafale Program

[Nilgiri]

@Vergennes @Dante80

First Rafale Jets Will Arrive In Greece In Mid-2021

The first French-made Rafale type aircraft will arrive in Greece in the middle of 2021, explained Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis when answering a

greekcitytimes.com

The first French-made Rafale type aircraft will arrive in Greece in the middle of 2021, explained Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis when answering a relevant question during a press conference at the Thessaloniki International Fair.

The Greek Air Force is acquiring a squadron of 18 Rafale fighter jets that will replace the older non-modernized Mirage-2000.

At the same time, Mitsotakis referred to the suggestion by experts to strengthen the fleet.

The Navy is launching a program for four new Multi-Role Frigates. At the same time, it will modernise and upgrade four MEKO-200HN Frigates, which it already has. The new frigates will also be accompanied by 4 MH-60R anti-submarine helicopters.

The Prime Minister described the new armaments program of the country as “ambitious.”

“The program is ambitious, but within the country’s financial possibilities and holistic”, Mitsotakis explained, emphasising that the approach is different as some important investments are made.

The Greek Defense Industry will be kick started again. American funds are investing in the modernisation of the Elefsina Shipyards while another investor will soon enter the Skaramangas shipyards, with no job losses. The tender process for the privatization of the Hellenic Vehicle Industries has been completed. The Hellenic Aerospace Industry will be re-organized and transformed into an aircraft maintenance center for the wider area.

However, it is recognised that the armed forces are above all the human resources for this and in five years 15,000 new recruits is foreseen.

The arms of the three Branches of the Armed Forces will also be strengthened:

– New anti-tank weapons for the Army.
– New heavy-duty torpedoes for the Navy.
– New guided missiles for the Air Force.

The announcement for Greece to acquire 18 Rafale jets illustrates the strength of the partnership that has linked the Greek Air Force with French military industry for more than 45 years. It also demonstrates the enduring strategic relationship between Greece and France.

Greece ordered 40 Mirage F1 from Dassault Aviation in 1974, then 40 Mirage 2000 in 1985 and finally 15 Mirage 2000-5 in the year 2000; this latest contract also includes the modernization of 10 Mirage 2000 to the 2000-5 standard with a large contribution from Greek industry.

 

[Vergennes]

According to LaTribune,Greece will buy 18 Rafale F-3R and associated equipments for a total of €2 billion. €1.7 billion will be spent on the Rafale while the rest on missiles from MBDA.

The agreement between Paris and Athens for 6 new and 12 second hand Rafale should be ratified in november.


This means Greece will get 6 new Rafale F-3R while the 12 others will be upgraded to the F-3R standard. The integration of the meteor missile is what convinced the Greeks to get its entire fleet to the F-3R. France should propose a financing model that is sufficiently attractive to be sustainable for Greece's finances.

Rafale en Grèce : un contrat de 2 milliards d'euros pour Dassault Aviation et MBDA

La Grèce va s'offrir 18 Rafale F3R pour 2 milliards d'euros. Soit 1,7 milliard pour les avions de combat et 300 millions pour l'armement fourni par le missilier MBDA.

www.latribune.fr

 

[Vergennes]

The new Rafale F3-R standard brings new capabilities in the areas of intelligence, communication, engagement and command. If the integration of the Meteor long-range missile and the new generation Talios laser designation pod are the major innovations, other developments (mainly software) translate into a further evolution of the aircraft. The F3-R standard also includes the installation of an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (AGCAS) and various improvements to the RBE2 radar, the Spectra electronic warfare system, the Reco NG pod and the inertial navigation system.

 

[Combat-Master]

I wouldn't be surprised if in the recent engagement between Greek and Turkish F-16s, French Rafales were flying around the engagement zone. Likely showing off capabilities.

 

[Test7]

 

[Test7]

Rafale F3-R jet with Talios pod.

Hellenic Air Force will receive 12 Rafale fighter jets upgraded to the latest F3R standard, in 2021.
Greece is buying 18 Rafale combat jets from France of which 8 would be brand new while the remaining, second-hand ones. First of the jets will arrive in Greece next year.
Greek newspaper ptisidiastima.com, citing LA Tribune, wrote that of the 18 jets, 12 will be of F3R standard.
Dassault announced the first flight of Rafale F3R on September 22. The older Domacles pod is replaced with Talios (TArgeting Long-range Identification Optronic System) new-generation laser designator pod which is manufactured by Thales. The French Air Force announced the initial operational capability of Talios laser designation pod on the Rafale F3-R aircraft in October.
In addition, this version of the jet can carry MBDA Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, some of which Athens is reportedly planning to acquire along with MICA NG and SCALP missiles. A team consisting of officials from MBDA met with Greek officials in early September to discuss supply of missiles and other munitions for the Rafales.
This Rafale variant can also be equipped with laser homing version of the Safran AASM Air-to-Ground Modular Weapon. F3R also includes upgrades to the Rafale sensors and to systems ensuring total interoperability.

First flight of Rafale F3R standard. The Talios pod can be seen. @Dassault

Defense World

View News at Defense World

www.defenseworld.net

 

[Costin84]

To be honest, I don't understand Mica NG's role when you have the Meteor.

 

[Test7]

To be honest, I don't understand Mica NG's role when you have the Meteor.

One is apple and the other is pear

• Cost
• mission
• range
• accessibility

Do you think the meteor is an easily accessible missile that can be sent to any target?

Every ammunition that you can't send to the target has an expiration life. If you buy 100 Meteors and they stay in the warehouse, they will become garbage after 10 years. You would lose millions of dollars. Then, if you wanted to modernize them, you would pay millions of dollars again. But if you become a producing country, you will sell them. When you need it, your industry can produce thousands and deliver them to you. The main difference between the manufacturer and the buyer.

 

[CAN_TR]

Let's note that the Meteor costs 2 million Euros per missile, that's not cheap.

 

[Costin84]

Let's note that the Meteor costs 2 million Euros per missile, that's not cheap.

Mica isn't cheaper

India approves Mica missile buy, but slips fighter decision

India's Cabinet Committee on Security has authorised a deal to equip the country's Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters with MBDA Mica air-to-air missiles, although the deal has yet to be officially signed.

www.flightglobal.com

2.7million $/missile

 

[CAN_TR]

Mica isn't cheaper

India approves Mica missile buy, but slips fighter decision

India's Cabinet Committee on Security has authorised a deal to equip the country's Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters with MBDA Mica air-to-air missiles, although the deal has yet to be officially signed.

www.flightglobal.com

2.7million $/missile

I don't take the Arab or Indian pricetags serious, they pay a extra extra for everything.

 

[Vergennes]

Mica isn't cheaper

India approves Mica missile buy, but slips fighter decision

India's Cabinet Committee on Security has authorised a deal to equip the country's Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters with MBDA Mica air-to-air missiles, although the deal has yet to be officially signed.

www.flightglobal.com

2.7million $/missile

The estimated cost of a Mica is between €500K-€600K.....

 

[Cabatli_TR]

The possible income for France from the sale of the used Rafale fighters in Greece will reach € 530 million, the French senator Cedric Perrin revealed to journalists this morning . Perrin has been elected with the center-right Les Republicains party in Belfort and is vice-chairman of the French Senate Foreign Relations and Defense Committee.


According to French journalist Jean-Marc Tanguy, Perrin was a guest of the Union of Defense Writers and spoke about the shortcomings faced by the French artillery, the problems of financing the French war industries by the French banks, the return of the MQ-9 Reaper drones to Sahel and, of course, the Rafale fighter program. According to Perrin, the 12 used Rafale fighters that will be transferred to Greece, could potentially contribute to the fund of the French Ministry of Defense € 530 million , while the Greek program provides an additional amount of € 100 million for preparation / trainingHellenic Air Force personnel. Unfortunately, Perrin did not elaborate. He added that the money is not certain to end up in the French Ministry of Defense, although it needs money to order 12 new Rafale. Finally, Perrin revealed that Croatia wants 12 two-seater used Rafale .


Earlier in October, the French newspaper La Tribune reported that the possible cost of the 12 used Rafale fighters was € 400 million, while DGA chief Joel Barre appeared to have stated that the 12 used Rafale would cost "just over 400". millions". In none of the three cases is the cost indicated what it includes . Greece plans to purchase 18 Rafale fighters, 12 used and 6 new. If all goes well, the contract will be signed in 2020 and the first Rafale will be delivered at the end of the first half of 2021.

Στα 530 εκατ. ανεβάζει το κόστος των 12 μεταχειρισμένων Rafale για την Ελλάδα, Γάλλος γερουσιαστής - Πτήση

Στα €530 εκατ. θα ανέλθουν τα πιθανά έσοδα για τη Γαλλία από την πώληση των μεταχειρισμένων μαχητικών Rafale στην Ελλάδα, αποκάλυψε σήμερα το πρωί σε δημοσιογράφους ο Γάλλος γερουσιαστής Cedric Perrin. Ο Perrin έχει εκλεγεί με το κεντροδεξιό κόμμα Les Republicains στο Μπελφόρ και είναι...

www.ptisidiastima.com

 

[Vergennes]

Greece’s purchase of Rafale fighter jets, whose acquisition is expected to be approved by the Greek Parliament next week, was discussed on Tuesday by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and his French counterpart Florence Parly.

The French minister, who also discussed wider bilateral relations with Panagiotopoulos, will visit Athens shortly after Parliament’s approval of the purchase, most likely on December 17, in order to sign the supply contract.

Her visit is scheduled to take place before Christmas, on December 19-20, a plan that is, of course, subject to possible changes due to the pandemic.

In any case, it is the expressed will of both parties that the deal be inked before the new year.

The total contract for the supply of 18 Rafale fighters (12 used and six new), fully armed with Meteor, SCALP and Exocet missiles, is expected to amount to approximately 2.5 billion euros.

The General Staff of the Hellenic Air Force is in a race against time to select the first four pilots who will go to France for training at the beginning of the year, so that by May at the latest, the first – slightly used – Rafale will have landed at the Tanagra base and be ready to fully integrate into the air force fleet.

The contracts also include the maintenance of the existing Mirage-2000 MK-2 aircraft, as well as the renewal of all types of systems available to the armed forces – including electronic and weapons systems.

Athens and Paris are also in advanced talks to upgrade the army’s existing unmanned aerial vehicles (Sperwer). Furthermore, there is general cooperation between the two sides in the field of UAVs on both a bilateral and an EU level.

France is still interested in striking a deal with Greece for the Belh@rra frigate program, despite the problems of recent months.

Aircraft deal to be sealed before new year | eKathimerini.com

Greece’s purchase of Rafale fighter jets, whose acquisition is expected to be approved by the Greek Parliament next week, was discussed on Tuesday by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and his French counterpart Florence Parly.

www.ekathimerini.com

 

[Test7]

Twelve of the 18 Rafales to be procured by Greece will be former French Air Force aircraft. An initial six are expected to be operational by the end of 2021. (Dassault Aviation)

The Greek government’s Parliamentary Subcommittee for Defence Procurement agreed on 17 December to proceed with the acquisition of 18 Dassault Rafale multirole fighters for the Hellenic Air Force (HAF).

Although according to Greek law no vote was required for the decision, all political parties agreed that the aircraft were needed.

The total cost of the programme will be EUR1.92 billion (USD2.35 billion), according to Ministry of National Defence sources, while another EUR400 million will be used to purchase Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and to upgrade missiles already in the HAF inventory (namely Mica air-to-air missiles, Scalp cruise missiles, and Exocet anti-ship missiles) for carriage by the Rafales. These missiles are currently used to arm the HAF’s Dassault Mirage 2000 and Mirage 2000-5 aircraft.

Twelve of the 18 Rafales (10 single seaters and two twin seaters) will be former French Air Force aircraft, with delivery of the first six expected to start six months after the signing of the contract, estimated to occur in June 2021. Deliveries will continue at a rate of one per month. On the 20th month after the handover of the initial six aircraft, the delivery of brand-new Rafales will begin and continue at a rate of one per month. Finally, 26 months after the contract is signed, delivery of the last six second-hand fighters will occur. The first four HAF pilots will start training in France early in 2021.

Greece's Rafale buy gets the green light

The Greek government’s Parliamentary Subcommittee for Defence Procurement agreed on 17 December to proceed with the acquisition of 18 Dassault Rafale multirole fighters...

www.janes.com

 

[ANGMAR]

Twelve of the 18 Rafales (10 single seaters and two twin seaters) will be former French Air Force aircraft, with delivery of the first six expected to start six months after the signing of the contract, estimated to occur in June 2021

Looks like the greeks are on the rush !!

 

[Test7]

Looks like the greeks are on the rush !!

They are in a hurry. I wonder who they will attack

 

[ANGMAR]

They are in a hurry. I wonder who they will attack

i think this is their reply to the turkish s-400
also the tension on east mediterranean still taking a place
hope things remain calm the world doesnt need wars right now

 

[Test7]

Greek lawmakers will vote this week on a bill opening the way for the purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets from France for a total of 2.5 billion euros ($3.04 billion).

The agreement, expected to be signed by both countries’ ministers in Athens this month, is part of Greece’s plan to boost its defence capacity during an ongoing dispute with neighbouring Turkey on energy resources in the Mediterranean.

For the purchase and maintenance of six new and 12 used Rafale jets, Greece will spend 1.5 billion euros this year, about 400 million euros annually in 2022-23, 67 million euros in 2024 and 34 million euros in 2025.


The debate in parliamentary committees will start on Tuesday with a vote planned by the end of the week.

After a decade-long financial crisis that sapped almost a quarter of its national output, Greece was hoping for strong growth in 2020, but the coronavirus outbreak dashed its hopes. Greece projects 4.8 growth this year after an economic contraction of about 10% in 2020.

Despite the hardship, the government has said it wants to invest in its armed forces, hire staff and acquire new frigates, helicopters and drones, and upgrade its F-16 fleet.


Parliament will also vote on a bill extending the country’s western territorial waters to 12 from six miles this month, the government has said.

After a four-year hiatus, Greece and Turkey are expected to resume exploratory talks on the demarcation of maritime zones on Jan. 25.

Greek parliament to vote this week on Rafale jets purchase

Greek lawmakers will vote this week on a bill opening the way for the purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets from France for a total of 2.5 billion euros ($3.04 billion).

www.reuters.com

 

[Costin84]

Parliament approved the purchase

Greek parliament approves purchase of Rafale fighters from France

Greek lawmakers approved the purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale jets from France for 2.5 billion euros ($3.04 billion) on Thursday, in a deal due to be signed by the Greek and French defence ministers later this month.

www.reuters.com