Hellenic AF to buy Rafale

[Thunder]

Been talked about over the past few months, the Hellenic AF have now decided to opt for the purchase of 18 Rafale a/c from France, along with other upgrades including MH-60R’s. Does this signal the end for the F-4 in European skies?

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/0 ... t-defense/

[TonyO]

Mitsotakis said in his speech that the Rafales would replace the Mirage 2000,but probably only the early model ones that cannot launch Mica.

[114PM]

The Rafale will replace the Mirage 2000EGM of 332 M.
The Mirage 2000BGM, and of course the Mirage 2000-5 of 331 M, will remain.
Phase out date of the Phantom is 2027.
So, you still have some years to see them

[Thunder]

Has there been any information regarding what variant of Rafale the Greeks will be getting, B/C or mixed bag?

[scottoz8]

How can the Greeks afford Rafale ?? I thought they were broke.

[Thunder]

Although figures are still below pre 2007 levels, the Greeks have since 2011 been steadily repairing their economy to a point today were its actually stronger than Italy, Spain and even Germany. The French have also offset the price of the purchase.

[Alf]

How can the Greeks afford Rafale ?? I thought they were broke.

They are mainly second hand ex French AF Rafales, which is why they will get them very soon.

[Thunder]

Although 2nd hand they are up to the current F3-O4T standard and were only recently delivered to the AdlA. They will be delivered with the latest Talios pod, Meteor BVR AAM, MICA AAM, SCALP and Hammer AASM, all adding up to a very potent platform.

[114PM]

12 used and 6 new.
14 C and 4 B.
My informations are that all will be F3R.
The new from the factory and the used will be upgraded.

[TonyO]

Although figures are still below pre 2007 levels, the Greeks have since 2011 been steadily repairing their economy to a point today were its actually stronger than Italy, Spain and even Germany. The French have also offset the price of the purchase.

There is no way the Greek economy could ever be stronger than the German economy, growth as a percentage of GDP maybe, but there are still high debt levels in Greece.

Yes all F3R, and they will make use of existing stocks of Scalp, Mica and Exocet and they will be getting Meteor which means they can now out ranges the Turkish Amraam-equipped F-16s.

[Thunder]

There is no way the Greek economy could ever be stronger than the German economy, growth as a percentage of GDP maybe, but there are still high debt levels in Greece.

Yes, that is what I was referring to, I should've been clearer.

[red leader]

Are they still getting F 35s?

[Alf]

Are they still getting F 35s?

They are still looking at 24 F-35A with first delivery this year... again 2nd hand, ex USAF jets. That was reported December 2020.. unless things have changed since.

[Thunder]

My understanding is F-35 is still a few years away, and it was the ex Turkish jets that were being earmarked for possible sale( some of these jets I believe are currently being flown by LM at Ft Worth).

[the concerned]

Wasn't part of the deal also to upgrade 10 of the older mirage 2000's to the dash 5 standard.

[Thunder]

That was part of the Mirage 2000-5 deal back in 2000. 15
new -5’s and 10 upgraded E/BGM’s. There was a contract awarded in 2019 for the upgrade of the whole -5 fleet to include avionic and engine improvements, not sure how this work has progressed?