U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio arrives in Athens Tuesday, and Greece's Air Force has ...

U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio arrives in Athens Tuesday, and Greece's Air Force has a detailed wish list ready for Wednesday night's high-level defense talks. At the top of the agenda are weapons systems for Greece's existing and future fighter fleet. According to To Vima, discussions will cover new armaments for the F-16V and F-16 Block 50 jets, the latter of which Greece plans to upgrade to Viper configuration, as well as munitions for the 20 F-35s Greece has already agreed to purchase, with first deliveries expected in 2028. The stealth cruise missile AGM-158B JASSM-ER is expected to come up, but according to reliable sources, no deal is close. The weapon would significantly shift the operational balance in the Eastern Mediterranean, and U.S. production constraints have pushed delivery timelines out to as long as 48 months. Greece is also eyeing the AIM-120D, the latest version of the AMRAAM. Both Greece and Turkey currently operate the older AIM-120C series, and acquiring the D variant would give Greece a stronger beyond-visual-range engagement capability. The Air Force is also watching the AIM-260 JATM, America's next-generation air-to-air missile designed to replace the AMRAAM and to be carried internally by fifth-generation fighters like the F-35. Australia became the first country outside the U.S. to secure the AIM-260, announcing a roughly 736 million Australian dollar purchase in August 2026. The broader Greece-U.S. defense relationship is already massive. State Department figures show active Foreign Military Sales cases with Greece totaling $11.29 billion. Major programs include the upgrade of 84 F-16s to Viper configuration, seven MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, and modernization of 11 S-70B Aegean Hawk naval helicopters. A U.S. response on upgrading 38 F-16 Block 50s to Viper standard is also still pending. The Greece-U.S. Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement is also in the background. The current amendment runs through May 2027, after which it continues automatically unless one side gives two years' written notice to withdraw. #Greece #GreekAirForce #Rubio