The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification, notifying Congress of this possible sale on January 26, 2024.
Greece has requested to buy up to 40 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft and 42 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines (40 installed, two spares). Also included are AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; KGV-135A embedded secure communications devices; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); impulse cartridges, chaff, and flares; Full Mission Simulators and system trainers; electronic warfare systems and Reprogramming Lab support; logistics management and support systems; threat detection, tracking, and targeting systems; Contractor Logistics Support (CLS); classified software and software development, delivery and integration support; transportation, ferry, and refueling support; weapons containers; aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; integration and test support and equipment; aircraft engine component improvement program (CIP) support; secure communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic systems and equipment; Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment; spare and repair parts, consumables, and accessories, and repair and return support; minor modifications, maintenance, and maintenance support; personnel training and training equipment; classified and unclassified publications and technical documents; warranties; and U.S. Government and engineering, technical, and logistics support services, studies, and surveys; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $8.6 billion.
The DSCA stated that the F-35 would offset the increasing obsolescence of other Hellenic Air Force aircraft, such as the F-4 and Mirage 2000.
The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines.
The proposed sale does not include any weapon transfer to Greece. It was known that the U.S. had wanted to create a balance according to its interests between Turkiye and Greece. The notification for both Turkiye and Greece waited for Turkiye’s decision on Sweden’s accession to NATO. Once President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan approved the accession, U.S. President Joe Biden pushed the button for the process. It is worth noting that the DSCA published the decision for Turkiye first and Greece afterwards.
