Mitsotakis at the inauguration of 2 new EAB buildings in Tanagra: With Rafale, Viper F-16 and F-35 the Greek skies are shielded like never before

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new aircraft liquid decolorization and painting hangar and the new chemical process building of Hellenic Aviation Industry (HLA)which are part of a wider framework of rewarding programs from the collaboration with Lockheed Martin, which includes the delivery of a total of 14 projects, took place today, Tuesday, January 24, in the presence of the Prime Minister Kyriakou Mitsotakis in Tanagra.

At the same time, the first two-seater – and fifth overall – upgraded version Air Force Viper F-16 took off from Tanagra bound for Crete. The aircraft is considered extremely important as it will be used to train Air Force pilots in new technologies and new upgraded weapons and systems in Viper version.

“With the new fighters Rafale aircraft and the upgrade of the F-16 but also the F-35 squadron later, the Greek skies are shielded like never before” Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized, among other things, in his speech. He referred to the “twin pillars that support today’s Greece” saying: “On the one hand, the patriotism of responsibility that wants Greece to always be a strong force to prevent and promote peace. And next to it, the development trajectory, which returns as a fair dividend to the citizen”.

“In the field of open threats, we respond with decisive readiness to any big-mouthed aggression” he pointed out and continued: “Those who talk that they may come suddenly one night, know that they may wake up one night and land in harsh reality.”

“I will say it again”, he emphasized, “that our country does not open a dialogue with the absurd”.

He underlined that today “two emblematic events are being written” and added: “The fifth F-16 upgraded to viper version is ready to fly from here to Crete to take up service. And the ODA technical center acquires two important facilities within the framework of the long cooperation that Lockheed Martin has with ODA”.

Referring to ODA’s partnership with Lockheed Martin, he noted, “They make us all proud” as they “affirm consistency in the Air Force’s enhancement program.”

As he said, “the top of the ODA is the upgrade of the F-16s but also the completion of the P3 Orion program and the maintenance of the C 130 and our firefighting aircraft”.

He did not fail to mention the cooperation of Greek universities with the ODA for the development of the drone manufacturing programs such as “Archytas” and “Grypas”.

EAB, added the prime minister, “with 700 new hires, now has 2,000 highly qualified staff and a new collective labor agreement”.

He also clarified that “the process of finding a strategic investor with a percentage of up to 49%” is starting, while he went on to emphasize that “the majority percentage of EAB will always remain with the Greek State”.

For his part, Greg M. Ulmer, Executive Vice President of Aeronautics of Lockheed Martin, emphasized: “We are honored to see the successful results of our cooperation with the ODA, the Greek government and the US government.”

On the capabilities of the F-16 Vipers, he pointed out that “they will be the most advanced F-16s in Europe” while detailing the modern radars, the sophisticated weapons they carry and the new cockpits of the aircraft.

Denis Plessas, Regional Vice President Global Pursuits of Lockheed Martin, said, among other things, that “a series of infrastructure projects are being launched today that offer new possibilities to ODA”.

“It is the intention of Lockheed Martin”, he clarified, “that every equipment program for the Armed Forces of Greece be accompanied by a corresponding development program”.

He detailed the 12 different programs, which “enhance ODA and Air Force capabilities” while providing significant offsetting benefits, rewarding project activities, infrastructure and new technologies.

He did not fail to refer to the EAB staff, stressing that they have “high standards, which must be maintained in Greece”.

The president of the Hellenic Aviation Industry, Vice Admiral (M) ea, Ioannis Koutras, pointed out that “the EAB as the most basic and the largest development arm of the defense industry, with a history of more than 48 years, could only have the corresponding facilities for to fulfill its role and mission”.

“With the programs that are being implemented, new horizons are opening up for ODA, which declares itself present in the international market, based on the tripartite Production – Education – Innovation” he added.

The guests toured the F-16 Viper production and upgrade sites and were informed about the technical characteristics and upgrades on at least four aircraft that are, in different phases, on the production line.

The opening ceremony was attended by, among others, the Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos, the Minister of Finance Christos Staikouras, the Minister of Development and Investments Adonis Georgiadis, the Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalias, the US Ambassador to Greece George Tsounis, the GETHA chief General Konstantinos Floros, GES chief Lieutenant General Angelos Houdeloudis, GEN chief Vice-Admiral Ioannis Drymousis PN, GEA chief Vice-Admiral (I) Themistocles Bourolias, the former Minister of National Defense and honorary GETHA chief in retirement, Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, the former Deputy Minister of National Defense and Honorary Chief of General Staff, retired General Alcibiades Stefanis, Honorary Chief of General Staff, Admiral Stylianos Petrakis, Members of Parliament, numerous officers of the Armed Forces, high-ranking executives of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and representatives of the Local Government. The consecration ceremony of the new buildings was officiated by the Metropolitan of Thebes, Levadeia and Avlidos George.

RES-EMP

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