A matter of several days – a package from Aviation General Staff (GAS) letter of request (Letter of Request) to USA for update 38 F-16 Block 50 her Air Force (Pennsylvania).

This fact leads to the solution of another unresolved issue in the course of the modernization of the PA. and its development into one of the most reliable air forces in the wider region.

Modernization of 38 F-16s will be carried out at the Nea Agialos Air Base (111th Fighter Wing), while work on the modernization of the F-16 Viper continues at EAB. Two F-16 Vipers are already ready, and it is being discussed between the PA and the US Air Force on the timing of their delivery in the coming months in order to begin training their pilots in Hellas.

On the staff of the head of the GEA Themistocles Burolia – which has an open long-term horizon in front of it, within which P.A. will get even stronger operational capabilities – there is also a clear plan for older F-16 Block 30s.

PA’s old F-16s are not going to move anywhere outside of Greece and there are no plans to transfer them, but they will remain operational as they perform a huge workload in the Aegean every day.

Instead, ways are being considered to maintain their high availability while some will be converted to novice trainer aircraft as an introduction to the future fleet of the new F-16 Viper, Block 52+ Advanced and upgraded Block 50 types.

The course for modernization and transformation of P.A. in one of the most reliable air forces in the wider region continues.

GEA is already enthusiastic about an important part of aviation training for new Icarians.

Collaboration with the Israeli ELBIT in the 120th Aviation Training Wing at Kalamata led to a dramatic increase in the number of T-6 trainers.

More importantly, the first M-346 trainers will arrive in Kalamata during 2023 to gradually begin the necessary decommissioning of the aging T-2 Buckeyes.

Experts characterize the M-346 as “small F-16s” in the sense that they are modern jets with the agility and technology environment that will allow new PA pilots to adapt to their future post more quickly and easily, whether F-16 or Rafal and Mirage 2000-5.

At the same time, of course, great importance is attached to acquaintance with P.A. with the French Rafale multirole fighter jet, billed as a valuable F-35 ‘bridge aircraft’, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028-2030.