France and Greece have reached an agreement for the latter to acquire 18 Rafale fighter jets of which 10 will be sold and the remaining 8 will given away as ‘donation.’
“Contacts between the two sides are at a very advanced level, with those who know the background expressing the assessment that within 2020 the agreement will have been officially announced,” Greek publication, Pentapostagma reported quoting source aware of the deal.
The jets would be fully armed versions ready for immediate deployment as Greece faces up to an incresingly belligerent Turkey over territorial dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean. Recently Greek and Turkish F-16 jets were briefly engaged in a ‘dogfight,’ reports said.
The 10 brand new fighters that are to be purchased will come from the stock being built for the Egyptian Air Force. The two governments are expecting to reach an agreement with Egypt to divert 10 of 20 jets meant for Egypt to Greece. The remaining 10 for Egypt would be delivered later.