As written in La Tribune the journalist Michel Cabirol, the Greek authorities today find themselves faced with a delicate decision regarding the modernization of its air fleet. On the one hand, Athens would be tempted by the acquisition of around forty F35As from the American Lockheed, in order to strengthen its compatibility with American forces and NATO and to have an aircraft designed specifically to eliminate adversary air defenses. On the other hand, the expansion of the fleet Rafale, After the first order of 18 devices signed a few days ago, would make a lot of sense, both given the extensive capabilities of the Rafale across the entire air combat spectrum, but also in order to streamline the maintenance and training of its pilots and maintenance personnel.
One of the keys to the decision lies in the industrial aspect. Indeed, Greece has a major aeronautical player, the company Hellenic Aerospace Industrie, which maintains the F16 and Mirage 2000 of the Hellenic Air Force, and which participates in the manufacturing of the F16 sold on the international scene with other European actors. The company also participates in European research programs, such as the Neuron combat drone demonstrator program. However, the 40 new aircraft that the Greek authorities wish to acquire would not justify the implementation of a new assembly line for assembly of the place, nor for the Rafale, nor for the F35, and HAI would therefore, in this case, once again, be reduced to the role of subcontractor of programs for which the Greek taxpayer will pay large sums in order to equip its armed forces against Turkey .
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