Greece Signs Deal for 20 F-35 Jets, Joining the F-35 Program as 19th Nation

The Greek government has formalized its plan to purchase 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) through a U.S. government Foreign Military Sale, which includes an option for 20 additional aircraft. This agreement marks Greece as the 19th nation to join the F-35 program, enhancing the Hellenic Air Force's capabilities and interoperability with NATO allies.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer of the F-35 Joint Program Office, expressed enthusiasm for Greece joining the F-35 enterprise, noting the aircraft's exceptional capabilities and its role in strengthening NATO's combat effectiveness. Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, highlighted the longstanding partnership with the Hellenic Air Force and emphasized the F-35’s suitability for bolstering Greece's sovereignty and operational capacity.

The F-35 is increasingly becoming NATO's fighter of choice due to its unparalleled interoperability, ensuring strategic superiority for decades. By the 2030s, over 600 F-35s from more than 10 European countries, including two U.S. squadrons at RAF Lakenheath, will operate together, demonstrating alliance-based deterrence and advancing NATO's next-generation air power.

Mara Motherway, Lockheed Martin's vice president of Strategy and Business Development, emphasized the F-35's role in deterring threats and ensuring regional stability, contributing significantly to the evolving 21st Century Security® battlespace. Currently, the F-35 operates from 32 bases worldwide with nearly 1,000 aircraft having logged over 860,000 flight hours.

Greece, also operating F-16s, C-130s, and Hawk helicopters, is upgrading part of its F-16 fleet to the "Viper" configuration and has recently acquired 35 UH-60M Black Hawks. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias stated that the acquisition of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighters represents a significant modernization for the Greek Air Force, replacing older F-4 and Mirage 2000 aircraft. The deal, valued at $3.76 billion, will see deliveries beginning in 2028 and continuing through 2033, with the jets based at Andravida, Greece.

The procurement of F-35s comes amidst political tensions with Turkey, another NATO member expelled from the F-35 program after purchasing Russian air defense equipment. These tensions were highlighted by Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis's recent remarks about the potential use of F-35s against Turkey.

Lockheed Martin views Greece’s entry into the F-35 program as part of its ongoing international expansion, reinforcing alliance-based deterrence and setting the foundation for future air power capabilities within NATO and allied nations.