Greece Secures $4 Billion U.S. Arms Deal to Upgrade F-16 Jets and Defenses
Greece has agreed to a U.S. weapons deal worth up to $4 billion to upgrade F-16 fighter jets and acquire advanced missiles, bolstering its military amid regional tensions.
Greece is accelerating its military modernization with a U.S. weapons deal worth up to $4 billion. According to Reuters, Athens has agreed to upgrade additional F-16 fighter jets and acquire advanced missiles and bombs from the United States as part of a broad rearmament program.
Two senior Greek officials told Reuters that the agreement includes advanced weaponry for F-16 Viper jets, future F-35 aircraft, and Black Hawk helicopters. The package also includes upgrading older F-16 aircraft to the Viper configuration.
Modernizing the Air Force
Greece is already in the midst of a massive modernization program for its air force. It is upgrading approximately 82 F-16 jets to the Viper configuration and is now seeking to upgrade 37 older Block 50 aircraft at an estimated cost of $1 billion.
Simultaneously, Athens agreed in 2024 to acquire 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft and 35 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias stated in May that upon completion of the Block 50 upgrades, the Hellenic Air Force will operate more than 100 F-16 Viper jets.
"Greece is committed to strengthening its deterrence capabilities and expanding its strategic alliances across the region through comprehensive military reforms."
The Achilles Shield Project
The U.S. transaction is part of a much larger procurement plan. Greece plans to invest roughly 28 billion euros by 2036 to reinforce its armed forces, including F-35 fighter jets, helicopters, and advanced defense systems.
One of the central projects is the "Achilles Shield" — a multi-layered defense network against missiles, aircraft, and other aerial threats. Israel plays a significant role in this project through defense systems produced by Israeli defense industries.
Regional Tensions and Background
A primary driver behind Greece's continuous defense investment is its long-standing rivalry with Turkey. Greece currently allocates nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product to defense, a significantly high proportion compared to many NATO member states.
Tensions between the two countries have flared up recently amid disputes concerning the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. Athens remains steadfast in protecting its sovereign rights against external challenges.
