Summary and Key Points: Greece has officially joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, signing a deal for 20 F-35A Lightning II stealth jets with an option for 20 more.

-The Hellenic Air Force will receive the Block 4 upgraded version, significantly enhancing its capabilities.

-Greece is the 19th country to join the program and the 12th in Europe. This acquisition is part of Greece's broader military modernization efforts, which also include upgrading its F-16 fleet and acquiring Dassault Rafale jets. These moves bolster Greece's air defense and NATO's collective security.

The F-35 Gets a New Partner Nation: Greece

Athens finished the formalities and officially ordered 20 F-35A fighter jets, with the option to buy an additional 20.

On Thursday, the Greek Ministry of Defense signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA) for 20 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets, officially entering Greece in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

"We are excited to welcome Greece into the F-35 enterprise," U.S. Air Force Lieutenant  General Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer of the F-35 Joint Program Office, said in a press release.

"The F-35 will provide exceptional capability to the Hellenic Air Force, build interoperability between our allies and strengthen the combat effectiveness for all of NATO,” he added.

The Hellenic Air Force will receive 20 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets with the Block 4 upgrades. Athens has the option to increase the order by an additional 20 aircraft for a total of 40 fighter jets, or two squadrons.

The F-35A is the conventional take-off, landing version of the stealth fighter jet. It will bring unparalleled capabilities to the Hellenic Air Force and reinforce its position as the best air force in southeastern Europe. 

"For several decades, the Hellenic Air Force has been our partner, and it is our honor to continue that relationship as Greece becomes the 19th nation to join the F-35 program," Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, said.

Greece is the 19th country to enter the F-35 program and the 12th European country.

"The F-35 is the only fighter suitable to strengthen Greece's sovereignty and operational capability with allies,” she added.

The Hellenic Air Force has been working closely with Lockheed Martin for decades because of the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet, which makes up the bulk of Athens’ air fleet. Recently, the Hellenic Air Force started upgrading dozens of older F-16 fighter jets to the Block 70/72 “Viper” package, the most advanced version of the aircraft out there.

"The F-35's growing presence across Europe is a powerful testament of alliance-based deterrence and is setting the foundation for NATO and allied nations' next generation air power capability," Mara Motherway, Lockheed Martin vice president of Strategy and Business Development, stated.

The Hellenic Air Force continues with its modernization efforts. Since 2020, when Greece and Turkey almost went to war once again, Athens has invested heavily in its armed forces, particularly in the air force. In the last four years, the Hellenic Air Force ordered and received Dassault Rafale F3R fighter jets from France, started upgrading its F-16 fleet to the latest available version that not even the U.S. Air Force has, and is now in line to receive the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jet.

Protecting the borders of NATO and the West, Greek pilots are some of the best in the transatlantic alliance, routinely recognized for their airmanship and combat prowess in international competitions.

About the Author 

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

All images are Creative Commons and or Shutterstock.