US State Department clears sale of 40 F-35A fighters to Hellenic Air Force.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on January 26 announced that the State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Greece of F-35A Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $8.6 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this sale.
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The Hellenic (Greek) Air Force will get 40 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs to replace its aging fleet (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

The Government of Greece has requested to buy up to forty (40) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft; and forty-two (42) Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines (40 installed, 2 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 F-35 will offset the increasing obsolescence of other Hellenic Air Force aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom and Mirage 2000. The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, TX, and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, CT. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Greece.