State Department approval for the sale up to 40 F-35 fighters in Greece and the large free equipment package accompanying the agreement is a “practical recognition of Greece’s leadership role in the region, its role as a pillar of stability, peace and security, as well as a necessary and reliable partner and ally” sources from the Maximos Palace say.

According to the same sources, “with the letter of the Secretary of State of the United States Antony Blinken to the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the letter of the State Department to the Congress (notification), the way is formally opened for the acquisition of up to forty F-35 from Greece, as the relevant request has already been approved by Congress (and in fact shortly before the second round of national elections in June 2023)”.

In addition, they add, “the official acceptance of the Greek request for the supply of F-35s, together with the simultaneous granting of a very important package of free military equipment from the American stockpile – which includes, among other things, four LCS frigates, two C transports – 130, 60 armored fighting vehicles, patrol ships – to Greece is a “vote of confidence” in Greece and its government Kyriakou Mitsotakis».

    The Blinken letter, the same sources emphasize, “justifies the diplomatic capital built by the government and the policy it has followed in the geopolitical crises in the region, from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the achievement of energy security in Southeast Europe, to the crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Middle East.

    • The development seals and consolidates the historically high level of Greek-American relations and proves in practice that the Greek-American strategic relationship and defense cooperation is autonomous and not mutually exclusive. The relationship with the USA is self-contained and independent from relationships with other countries and the transition to fifth generation fighter aircraft is the best evidence for the course of Greek-American relations.
    • About the F-16s: Greece is busy arming and strengthening its armed forces. It cannot dictate US policy on defense programs towards third countries. Nor can defense supplies to Greece, a reliable partner and ally, be linked to the armament programs of other countries.
    • The firm Greek position, particularly in the context of NATO membership, is that no equipment assigned to a country can be used against an ally. After all, this serves regional stability and the Alliance’s interests in the region.”