Greece allocates up to $4 billion to modernize F-16 aircraft and purchase advanced missiles from the US

Greece has agreed to allocate up to $4 billion to modernize some F-16 aircraft and purchase advanced missiles and weaponry from the United States, two sources told Reuters on Thursday. The decision comes a day after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Athens and is part of Greece’s plan to modernize its armed forces.

The agreement includes missiles and bombs for F-16 Viper and F-35 aircraft, as well as for Black Hawk helicopters. Greece also intends to upgrade 37 F-16 Block 50 aircraft to the Viper standard, after approximately 82 aircraft had already been included in the program, at an estimated cost of about $1 billion.

Payments will be spread over several years, and most of the purchases are already included in the multiyear defense plan, meaning they are not expected to place additional pressure on the budget.

Athens ordered 20 F-35 aircraft and 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters in 2024. Greece expects to spend approximately €28 billion by 2036 on military equipment, including the “Achilles Shield,” a multilayered ballistic and air defense system. The modernization is taking place against the backdrop of the long-running dispute with Turkey and following the debt crisis of 2009–2018.