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Greece to acquire more F-16s?

April 13, 2005 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Last year Greece decided to scrap their agreement with the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) to buy 60 Eurofighter jets. The Greek press is now speculating the government may choose the LMTAS F-16 instead.

HAF F-16C block 52's #99-1500, #99-1515, #99-1518, #99-1519 and #99-1520 off the Spanish coast enroute to Souda AB in a delivery flight on Nevember 7th, 2003. [Photo by Crisco]

The present centre-right government which took office last March didn't feel bound by the decision of the former Socialist government.

The government has so far not officially selected a company from which to buy the fourth generation jets.

As both the Greek prime minister and defense minister are due to visit the United States in the coming weeks, the Greek press is however speculating the government may choose the U.S. F-16 instead.

The decision on the matter of our arms program for the 2006-2010 period will be taken in the coming months," he added.

Greek Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos is to visit Washington in late April for what Guikas said would be a "political-military meeting for talks on bilateral relations between NATO and Greece."

Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis will visit the United States in late May.

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