While the American government granted the F-16 Block 70/72 to Turkey, a similar gift occurred with a far superior breed of fighters to Greece. This signifies a shift for the Greek Air Force, which will now take to the skies as the privileged operators of the F-35, instead of Turkey. Currently, Greece is discussing the procurement of 20 F-35A Block 3 fighter jets.
However, a credible Greek news outlet, Pentapostagma, is reporting a change of plans. The negotiations between Athens and Washington appear to be leaning towards a swap of the Block 3 jets for the advanced Block 4 versions. A cursory look back at BulgarianMilitary.com reveals that when the green light was given for Greece to acquire the F-35, the jet model in question was Block 3.
When observing Greece’s upgrade from Block 3 to Block 4, the change is significant and largely influenced by their desire to incorporate the French Meteor BVRAAM [beyond visual range air-to-air missile] missile. As an existing user of the Meteor, courtesy of their acquisition of 24 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France, this strategic move is logical for Athens.
The Meteor BVRAAM involved
The basis for Greece’s Block 4 request largely comes from their dependence on the French Meteor missile. There are numerous reasons behind this preference, with the Meteor BVRAAM’s unique features making it a top selection. At the heart of its appeal is the propulsion system. Unlike its rivals, this missile employs a groundbreaking jet engine that allows it to reach far greater distances. It’s these distinctive attributes that solidify its position as a preferred air-to-air missile.
Equipped with an advanced active radar guidance system, the Meteor missile boasts exceptional capabilities for detecting and tracking its target. This technology not only allows precision in targeting but also remains functional in highly complex and potentially hazardous environments. A unique feature of this radar system is its “fire-and-forget” mode, which once activated, lets the missile pursue its target independently, without requiring further instructions from the pilot.
A key contributor to the meteor’s effectiveness is its remarkable speed. Capable of reaching up to Mach 4, it’s unquestionably one of the fastest air-to-air missiles worldwide. But the Meteor BVRAAM is more than just speed, it’s also renowned for its enhanced maneuverability, and its thrust vectoring technology allows it to modify its course swiftly and accurately.
The APG-85 radar
As Pentapostagma returns to Greece, it’s anticipated that the next Greek-American discussion on the F-35 topic will likely occur in April, either mid or later in the month. The Greeks are fully aware that any deviation from the Block 3 F-35 upgrade could result in a delay in the delivery of the 20 designated fighter aircraft. Current conjectures suggest that Athens might welcome these stealth warriors by 2028 – though, there’s a chance they could arrive as early as next year.
However, Block 4 doesn’t merely offer a boost in rocket power with the Meteor; it brings additional influential capabilities compared to the current iteration. Let’s not forget, that the operational F-35 Block 3 comes equipped with the impressive AESA APG-81 radar – a system with 1000 transceivers and the ability to track airborne and mobile ground targets. In its air surveillance mode, it can detect an airborne target, even as small as a drone with a radar cross-section [RCS] of one square meter, at a range of 150km, and full-scale fighters at even more impressive distances. Moreover, it can track 23 targets within nine seconds while engaging with 19 of them in a mere 2.4 seconds.
Among the top upgrades headed for Block 4 is the state-of-the-art APG-85 radar. This new system broadens the radar’s reach to an impressive 200 km. According to various readily available sources, however, don’t expect its deployment until around 2030.
More upgrades
That’s not all. The formidable F-35 Block 4 isn’t stopping at an advanced radar system. It’s also set to be equipped with enhanced weapon systems, upgraded self-defense capabilities, and improved software. What does this mean for you? The new weapon system integration will result in an increase from 4 to 6 internal pylons for weapons. This change aims to allow the F-35 to carry a greater payload without compromising its stealth capabilities with additional rocket wings and missiles.
What this implies is that, given an example, it could accommodate, at its core, up to six AMRAAM AIM-120D air-to-air missiles for launches extending beyond the horizon. This capability essentially places it on equal footing with F-22s, an asset that the U.S. remains firm on not making available to any allied nations to date.
Furthermore, it holds the competency to bring onboard both the AGM88 HARM anti-radar missile and the enhanced version of the AARGM-ER. When we look at the impending Block 4 version, one of the key highlights is the provision of a superior engine, anticipated to endow the F-35 with both an extended range and an augmented weapons load.
Change is coming
Nevertheless, acquiring 20 Greek F-35s isn’t entirely advantageous. Over time, Athens will need to put some of their rather antiquated fighters on the market. Part of the “extreme transformations” highlighted by Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias includes the planned decommissioning of some of the longest-serving members of the Greek Air Force’s fighter jet armada.
“Our fleet is comprised of diverse aircraft types. We have the F-4, Mirage 2000-5, Block 30 F-16, Block 50 F-16, Block 52 F-16, Viper F-16, and Rafales,” clarified Dendias. He continued, “We can’t maintain this pattern. The F-4s are overdue for retirement and, if possible, should be put up for sale. The Mirage 2000-5, despite being incredibly efficient, could also be sold. The Block 30 F-16s must be sold as well. In my opinion, there could be potential buyers for the Mirage 2000-5 and the Block 30 F-16.”
There’s a significant transformation unfolding in Greece’s air force, hinting at an intriguing development. For instance, the U.S. has consented for some Greek F-16s to be upgraded to the latest modifications available in the Greek Air Force. As more French Rafales are introduced, the potency of the future Greek air force is shaping up impressively, significantly boosted by the introduction of the F-35.
Among the array of combat aircraft mentioned, the Mirage 2000-5 stands out as notably distinct. Just last year, rumors circulated in French media about Ukraine being the potential recipient of this fighter. Greece emerged as one of the plausible nations to either “supply” or “sell” the aircraft. Given the circumstances, this concept certainly seems to exist and is most likely still under consideration in Ukraine.
EDA for Greece
In recent news, Greece is set to acquire the F-35 Block 4, along with some additional equipment, thanks to a friendly gesture from Washington. This has been noted in reports from BulgarianMilitary.com. If you recall, the US State Department informed Congress in late January 2024 about the planned surplus transfer of defense equipment to Greece. This included two surplus C-130H aircraft, ten surplus engines for P-3 aircraft, and 60 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. It’s essential to note that surplus defense equipment refers to military gear the US Armed Forces no longer require.
Meanwhile, Blinken highlighted the US’s interest in Greek defense equipment that could potentially be transferred to Ukraine. Blinken stated, “If Ukraine feels these capabilities are useful, and after a thorough US government evaluation of their state and worth, we might consider providing additional foreign military financing [FMF] of up to $200 million to Greece.”
On the other hand, the Greek government warmly welcomed the letter, interpreting it as validation of Greece’s role as a regional stability pillar and a sign of confidence in the government. Moreover, the government promised that the package wouldn’t impose additional financial burdens on taxpayers as the EDA would come at no cost. Nevertheless, the situation in Athens elicited disagreements. The leading opposition party, SYRIZA, has a different perspective. They suggested that the EDA equipment could impose indirect costs, as it would need upgrading and modernization to become functional.
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