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Greece has sent a letter of request to the United States to acquire a squadron of F-35 fighter jets, the country’s minister said on Thursday, as part of efforts to bolster its defense functions amid ongoing tensions with neighboring Turkey.
Speaking to reporters in Madrid at a NATO summit, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece intends to buy a squadron of F-35s made by Lockheed Martin, with an imaginable option for a momentary squadron.
“Part of this procedure is the sending of the letter rogatory, which has taken a position in recent days,” Mitsotakis said, stressing that this is the start of a long procedure and that Athens felt it would not receive the aircraft until 2027 or 2028. . .
The Greek said a squadron would consist of 20 aircraft.
Greece has already ordered 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets, six new and 18 in the past in service with the French Air Force, as well as 3 French frigates.
Greece and Turkey, neighbors and NATO allies, have long-standing disputes over a number of issues, including territorial claims in the Aegean Sea and energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
Recent disputes have centered on Greek islands off the Turkish coast, with Ankara accusing Athens of maintaining a military presence on the islands in violation of treaties. Greece maintains that it is acting in accordance with foreign law and defends the islands against Turkish hostility.
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