For the reason that LOA (Letter of Acceptance) arrived on April 10, 2024 for the procurement of the fifth era F-35 fighter jets, there was no phrase on whether or not the negotiations for his or her acquisition have begun, nor whether or not the promised tasks have begun the Prime Minister for the improve of the Andravida airbase, which can host a squadron of F-35s.
Nonetheless, the cash (150 million euros) has already been launched from the state finances with the intention of changing a base that till now homes Phantoms (50 years outdated), right into a “nest” of probably the most superior plane that may function within the Japanese Mediterranean. The State Division with the LOA, it introduced, has determined to approve a possible navy sale to the federal government of Greece of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter standard take-off and touchdown (CTOL) and associated tools. However why did not the negotiations begin instantly? What precisely has occurred?
The upgraded F-35s
The Air Drive didn’t desire a easy F-35 fighter of these already working in varied air forces in NATO, specifically the block 2 and block 3 model, however needed probably the most superior sort, the F-35 block 4 that’s now within the stage of manufacturing by the manufacturing firm with superior radar, with extra trendy software program and with extra highly effective armament that may contribute to making sure air superiority.
That is exactly the primary benefit, specifically a state-of-the-art radar that may present unparalleled consciousness of the state of affairs on the battlefield and which the Greek aspect is now negotiating. Because the Minister of Nationwide Protection says Nikos Dendias to its staffs, the superior, upgraded F-35 we’re asking for additionally removes varied “issues” of the present variations of the F-35.
The reality is that the US and particularly the Congress took too lengthy to ship the LOA, in order that the negotiations may start, on the time when the US Departments of State and Protection had been assuring that Greece would get the F-35s. First the People stated they had been ready for the elections in Greece and Turkey, then they stated they had been ready for the outcomes of the summit in Vilnius, however in actuality Washington needed to provide the approval for Greece (F-35) and for Turkey (F- 16) on the identical time, however there was an enormous downside for the People and for NATO.
No, it wasn’t the Russian S-400s that Turkey had procured, nor Turkey’s refusal to embargo Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, however Erdogan’s refusal to sanction Sweden’s entry into NATO. As quickly as this was performed, the LOA, i.e. the approval for the acquisition of the fighters, got here to Athens and Ankara on the identical time.
Some (together with officers on the Ministry of Nationwide Protection) had been involved that this delay would possibly change the phrases of receipt, in addition to financing, of the F-35s. Our nation, with the help of expatriates, in addition to American senators and deputies, managed to not lose the manufacturing line for the F-35 and to stay in eighth place, even whether it is agreed to acquire the superior sort of fighter, the F-35 model 4.
In a phrase, your complete F-35 procurement program (buy of 20+4 plane, pilot and engineer coaching, flight simulators, literature, shelters, and many others.) will method, maybe even exceed, in keeping with estimates of workers, 4 billion euros. As well as, it ought to be famous that the development of the Greek F-35s on the Lockheed Martin plant in Texas got here forward of the development or improve of Turkish F-16s.
When does the coaching begin?
The primary F-35s are scheduled to be delivered in 2028, however coaching of pilots and technicians will start in a number of months, with the signing of the contract. The Air Drive will comply with the Israeli mannequin when it comes to coaching, because it needs to have pilots operationally prepared concurrently the planes are obtained.
Andravida on the finish of the last decade with the receipt of the F-35s can have became the strongest base within the area with the 150 million euros given for its improve. With this cash, new runways shall be constructed, safety and safety programs for plane shall be put in, and particular guarding circumstances and shelters shall be created. On the identical time, there’s take care of the supply of technical help and upkeep, warehouses for the storage of armaments, in addition to for the provision of recent radar programs.
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