Polemiki Aeroporia close to the purchase of Dassault Rafale

(To Stephen Peverati)
02/09/20

The negotiations between the Governments of Paris and Athens regarding the purchase by Polemiki Aeroporia of 18 4.5-generation Dassault Rafale aircraft are, according to the Greek press, at a very advanced stage. The order would concern 10 new and 8 second-hand aircraft fromArmée de l'air.

The Dassault aircraft would constitute a new "Mira" (Flight Group) in support of the already existing operating in air defense with the F-16Cs in the various Block constructive, waiting to be updated to the F-16V standard with the arrival of the first specimens in 2022, together with The Mirage, 2000EGM and 2000-5 MK.II of Tanagra and the latest F 4E AUP of 338 Mira Aris by Andravida.

The air base from which they will operate is not known, even if for logistical reasons one should think of Tanagra or for a logic of number of flight departments in Larisa. While, as regards the department under which they will serve, it will probably be one of the two historic groups closed in recent times for the disposal of their RF / F-4 Phantom II such as: the 339 Mira Aias and the 348 Mira Matia.

I Flurry, in this case, would arrive in relatively quick delivery times, since the French second-hand specimens would be ready for use, which, according to the press, would be precisely the specimens that last July attacked the Turkish installations at the al-Watiya based in Libya. While the newly built specimens would be scaled by the Cairo order delaying the deliveries of the remaining specimens to the EAF at a later time. This solution was possible thanks to the deep political-military collaboration between Cairo and Athens aimed at limiting the Turkish desire for expansion in the region.

The new planes certainly from the first days of operation will face scrambles caused by the perennial Turkish violations of the Hellenic airspace and engaged in real dogfight. THE Flurry and subsequently the F-16Vs will widen the technological gap between the PA and the THK in favor of the Hellenic side following the failure to sell the Lightning II in Ankara.

With the arrival of French fighters, the relationship between Greece and Dassault Aviation is further strengthened, which began on 4 August 1975 with the arrival of the first of forty aircraft. The Mirage, F.1CG in service with Tanagra squadrons 334 and 342 until 2003, followed by orders of forty The Mirage, 2000EG / B in July 1985 and a further fifteen The Mirage, 2000-5 MK.II in August 2000 which joined and subsequently replaced their predecessors in the air base still serving in the Mira 331 Thiseas and Mira 332 Geraki.

Photo: Dassault Aviation