Greece bought 18 French Rafale fighters for 2.3 billion euros

Greece buys eighteen Rafale fighters from France. The € 2.3 billion contract was signed by French Defense Minister Florence Parly in Athens. Over the next two years, France will supply Greece with twelve used and six new fighters from Dassault Aviation. Greece should receive the first machines in the middle of this year. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that France will take part in Greek military exercises later this year. Rafale fighters of the French Air Force will also take part in them. France supports Greece in its dispute over the maritime borders of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. Greece and Turkey, formally allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), have repeatedly found themselves on the brink of open warfare in recent decades due to disagreements over their designation and rights to extract raw materials from the seabed. Tensions escalated last summer when Turkey sent its ships to the disputed waters to explore for oil and gas. Earlier this year, the two countries agreed to resume talks on a peaceful solution to open issues. The first meeting of high-ranking diplomats from both countries took place on Monday in almost five years in Istanbul. Athens continues to invest billions in strengthening its armed forces. France also wants to sell new combat frigates to Greece. The United States is also seeking a similar contract. The government in Athens recently approved a plan to build a new air combat academy. Greece is cooperating on the project with the Israeli armament electronics manufacturer Elbit Systems.