Greece has signed a $4 billion arms contract with the United States to modernize its F-16 fighter jet fleet, one of the ...

Greece has signed a $4 billion arms contract with the United States to modernize its F-16 fighter jet fleet, one of the largest defense deals in the country's recent history. The contract covers a full upgrade of older F-16s to an advanced Viper configuration, along with a broad supply of missiles and bombs for F-16s, F-35 stealth jets, and Black Hawk helicopters. The upgraded jets will be fitted with APG-83 radar systems, new mission computers, and modernized cockpit displays, giving Greek pilots significantly sharper targeting and situational awareness. All upgrade work is being carried out at Hellenic Aerospace Industry facilities in Tanagra, north of Athens, with Lockheed Martin providing close technical support. Greece has already received two of the 60 aircraft scheduled for upgrade, with deliveries continuing gradually through 2027. The deal is part of a wider $31 billion military modernization plan the Greek government is pushing through across all branches of the armed forces. It was signed shortly after Greece concluded a separate defense agreement with Israel, signaling an accelerating pace of procurement across the Eastern Mediterranean. Athens has made no secret of what is driving the buildup. Turkish naval expansion in the region is a primary concern, with the Turkish Navy currently considered the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece is also focused on protecting offshore oil and gas fields and maintaining deterrence across a stretch of sea that takes in the coastlines of Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. #Greece #Military #Geopolitics