Today Wednesday 21 July 2021 the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos attended the ceremony for the delivery of the first “Rafale” Fighter aircraft held at the “125 Istres-Le Tubé” Air Force Base at Istres, France.

The ceremony was also attended by HNDGS Chief General Konstantinos Floros and HAFGS Chief Lieutenant (AF) General Georgios Blioumis.

During the delivery ceremony of the first out of eighteen state-of-the-art fighter aircraft Mr. Panagiotopoulos stated the following:

“ Today I am honoured and happy to be here at the facilities of “Dassault Aviation”, at Istres, on a day which marks a milestone for the Hellenic Air Force, since we are incorporating in our fleet the state-of-the-art Rafale Fighter Aircraft.

The cooperation of Greece with “Dassault” is established on solid foundations, ever since 1970 when the “Mirage” F-1 where first delivered to the Hellenic Air Force. This cooperation remains impeccable for the past five decades with the procurement of “Mirage”-2000 and 2000-5, and is sealed with today’s delivery ceremony for the state-of-the-art- “Rafale” fighter aircraft.

As of today the fire power of the Hellenic Air Force, as well as the capabilities of power projection of the HAF are multiplied. The special characteristics of these Aircraft with the advanced electronic systems, combined with their weapons which are of a strategic character, render them an important factor of air force excellence.

This procurement will further contribute to the enhancement of the fighting capability and the deterring power of the Hellenic Air Force and the Armed Forces whose principle mission is the defence of the territorial integrity and the sovereign rights of our Country.

The purchase of the ‘Rafale’ Fighter Aircraft underlines the strategic character of the French-Greek relations and the undivided support of France to our country against challenges and threats. It confirms the long-lasting tradition of excellent cooperation relations between our countries at bilateral level and in the context of regional and international organisations.

It also demonstrates our decisiveness to further reinforce not only the bilateral relations but also the stability and the prosperity in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean in the context of joint participation in defence initiatives within the EU and NATO.

The defence ties between our Countries are stalwart and traditionally based for two centuries now on the excellent brotherly relations of honest friendship. We are determined to maintain and further extend our defence cooperation in even more fields.

I would like to whole-heartedly congratulate all participants, since the procedures for such a complex and massive armament program were concluded very quickly and methodically. I would like to thank you all.

Ladies and gentlemen ,

Since my early youth I have been trying to understand the complexities of the world at international level, I knew (as many Greeks do) that for Greece France is European friend, an ally and exceptional power. Today, forty years later this exceptional aircraft you can see behind me proves, in my opinion, that this astonishing alliance in which one can count on the other, is evolving and reinforced.

Thank you”.

Before the ceremony the Minister of National Defence had a meeting with the CEO of “Dassault Aviation” Mr. Erik Trappier, with whom they exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

Answering a question of a public TV journalist concerning today’s ceremony and the prospective of the strategic relation between Greece and France Mr. Panagiotopoulos answered:

“This aircraft and the other five of the first batch of six to be delivered by the end of the year will be incorporated in the structures of the Hellenic Air Force in Tanagra, it will remain here for the following three-four weeks so that the crews complete their training and until the next four pilots arrive to start their training. Then they will come to Greece followed by the third, the fourth and so on and until all six come to Greece by the end of the year. And then next year we will have the other six and so on. At the same time crew chiefs who support and repair all the aircraft are being trained in teams. It is not just the pilots. So this way the picture is completed. ‘

Even today I had the opportunity to exchange views with leading members of the French Air Force and “Dassault” members, they are impressed by the speed with which this massive purchase was concluded and they all agree that this is an amazing aircraft with a comprehensive system since it will arrive with its weapons and Follow on Support Agreement. This aircraft will decisively enhance the HAF capabilities.

It will change the balances of power. Otherwise our neighbours wouldn’t rush to seek manners to “decodify” ‘Rafale’. A lot is heard on the media these days. The essence is that as of today Greece belongs to the “Rafale” classes.