Greece's military shift sparks controversy as air force fleet shrinks

The Greek Air Force has announced plans to downsize its fighter fleet, citing the need to cut costs and streamline operations.

The decision, which entails the decommissioning and sale of several aircraft, has sparked concerns over the nation's ability to adequately protect its airspace and maritime borders, Caliber.Az reports citing Greek media.

Colonel Konstantinos Zikidis of the Greek Air Force expressed apprehension regarding the reduction in the fighter fleet, emphasizing the critical balance between quality and quantity in defence strategies. "Not only quality is important, but also quantity! This shows that Greece has abandoned its plans to protect the EEZ and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean," Zikidis stated, highlighting the strategic implications of the fleet reduction.

According to media outlets, plans to reduce the fighter fleet to 170 aircraft have raised eyebrows among defence analysts. The reduction includes the decommissioning of 32 F-16 Block 30 fighters, 24 Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 aircraft, and over 30 Phantom F-4 jets.

In response to the downsizing, Greece is looking towards bolstering its fleet with the acquisition of six additional Rafale fighters and potential future purchases of F-35 aircraft. However, concerns have been raised regarding the high operational costs associated with these advanced fighter jets.

"It is noted that the cost of owning and operating the Rafale and F-35, in particular, is quite high. About two to three times more expensive than single-engine F-16s," remarked Colonel Zikidis, underlining the financial strain imposed by such acquisitions.

Furthermore, the timeline for acquiring new aircraft presents its own set of challenges. "Any new Rafale, or F-35, or any other new fighter in general may appear starting from 2030, but not earlier than 2030," Zikidis explained, cautioning against hasty decisions given the extended production timelines.

Despite the potential benefits of acquiring advanced fighter jets, concerns persist regarding Greece's reliance on external sources for its defence capabilities. Colonel Zikidis pointed out the risks associated with depending on the goodwill of third parties, urging for greater self-reliance in national defence.

"It is hoped that the UAE's Rafale production line will be transferred to Greece. So why would the UAE give us its Rafales? National power/defence should not depend on the goodwill of third parties," Zikidis emphasized, underscoring the importance of maintaining autonomy in defence procurement.