The Greek Ministry of National Defense announced that U.S. authorities have authorized the delivery of fifth generation F-35 fighter jets to Greece, a development reported by RIA News. The announcement underscores a milestone in the bilateral defense relationship, highlighting ongoing collaboration on modern air power capabilities and interoperability between Greek forces and the U.S. military. The news item reflects a process in which senior officials in both capitals coordinate steps that enable Greece to upgrade its air fleet with one of the most advanced combat aircraft in service today.
The ministry stated that on April 10 the competent U.S. authorities sent an official Letter of Offer and Acceptance to the General Directorate of Defense Armaments and Investments (GDAEE) within the Ministry of National Defense. This LOA represents a formal invitation to proceed with the procurement arrangement for F-35 fighters and the associated support packages. The correspondence marks a concrete phase in negotiations aimed at delivering state-of-the-art aviation assets to Greece, integrating procurement with training, maintenance, and logistical support to ensure readiness for future operations.
Greece plans to acquire up to 40 aircraft. This potential order aligns with broader strategic goals to modernize the country’s air defense capabilities, strengthen regional deterrence, and ensure that Greek air personnel gain combat aircraft that are compatible with allied systems. The scope described by the ministry encompasses not only the airframes themselves but also the engines, communications equipment, logistics, training and support systems, and spare parts necessary to sustain a high level of operational readiness over the life of the fleet.
Earlier in January, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets and the required equipment to Greece. In total, Athens had requested up to 40 fifth-generation aircraft along with the full complement of associated assets. The package also includes training programs, maintenance infrastructure, and the required components to maintain a robust and capable air combat capability, reflecting the depth of U.S.-Greece defense coordination and the commitment to ensure compatible, secure, and reliable defense technology transfer.
In February, White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby commented on regional defense dynamics, noting that the United States was not prepared to provide fifth-generation F-35 aircraft to Turkey due to Ankara’s deployment of Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems. This explanation highlights how allied decisions on advanced air platforms are influenced by broader strategic calculations and the need to preserve the integrity of allied air defense environments. The remark points to the careful governance surrounding high-end fighter sales and the sensitivity of integrating such systems with existing networks and interopability standards.
Earlier references from Russia’s Foreign Ministry regarding Eastern Europe suggested a readiness to base F-16s there, indicating a landscape where air forces in adjacent regions pursue modernization while navigating diplomatic, technical, and strategic considerations. This backdrop helps contextualize Greece’s ongoing efforts to secure modern air capabilities through trusted partners and established defense channels.
These developments collectively illustrate the evolving dynamics of European air power, the alignment between Greece and the United States on high-end aviation technology, and the careful, commission-led steps that accompany major defense equipment acquisitions. The process demonstrates how official channels, formal letters of offer and acceptance, and multi-faceted support agreements work in concert to deliver advanced platforms while coordinating training, maintenance, and integration within existing defense frameworks. Attribution for the core information comes from official announcements and contemporary reporting on defense contracts and supplier eligibility in allied relations.