Greece, France sign fighter jet deal amid tensions with Turkey
Athens' roughly $3 billion purchase of 18 Rafale fighter jets comes as Greek officials meet Turkish counterparts for exploratory talks to resolve disputes.
Greece’s defense minister signed a $3 billion deal to buy 18 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France during a ceremony with his French counterpart in Athens on Monday. Six of the fighters will be new, while 12 are used.
The agreement is the latest sign of Greece’s growing defense ties with Paris as the Hellenic Armed Forces seek to modernize amid heightened tensions with neighboring Turkey.
Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos called the deal a “milestone,” saying it “sends a clear message.”
“For the first time, a European country acquires the Rafale,” France’s Defense Minister Florence Parly tweeted after finalizing the deal with Panagiotopoulos. “Today is a great day and an exceptional opportunity to celebrate a rich and ancient defense friendship,” she wrote.
