Although these contacts are mostly military in nature, it is gradually becoming clearer that through the so-called FMF (Foreign Military Financing), materials needed by the armed forces can be purchased and can be redeemed over time. The return to FMF programs after nearly thirty years is being handled carefully, allowing both sides to work together without causing diplomatic repercussions.

According to absolutely cross information “K”The FMF discussion concerns financing (under a mixed system of loans and grants) for amounts that could even reach $8 billion in the future, with 2.3 of them already under very intensive discussions.

As for loans, they will be low-interest, and the repayment period can reach 13 years. In the case of grants, that is, the free provision of auxiliary or other systems, this will be done in such a way as not to violate the status of Greece in the ranking of countries with which the Pentagon cooperates.

What does it mean; After the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 and the transformation of the EEC into the EU, the “Greece” case was automatically moved to the American books among the cases of other developed countries, and therefore grants or systemic donations could not continue in the way that – for example – is still being done for countries like Egypt.

The diplomatic aspect of this discussion concerns the mode of implementation, since there should not be a precedent for other countries belonging to the club of developed countries of the EU, as well as the issue of unequal treatment from other allied countries, such as Turkey, for example. With all the possible combinations being made in the US right now as to how the dawn will come after the May 15 elections in Turkey, it’s pretty clear that every little detail is going into the equation.

Foreign military funding refers to funding (with a mixed system of loans and grants) for amounts that can even reach $8 billion in the long run.

Since July

These contacts actually began at an unexpected time when, in July 2022, the head of GEETHA, Konstantinos Floros, visited the State Department and, after active mediation, met with the Under Secretary of State for Political and Military Affairs, Jessica Lewis. Alexandra Papadopoulou, Greek Ambassador to Washington at the time. Mr. Floros has played a catalytic role as these discussions continue in recent weeks with a view to achieving results in the next period of time.

The question is what can be covered in this way. Clearly, there are at least two Lockheed Martin programs that could join FMF. One concerns the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet (which is expected to receive a letter of acceptance by early next month, although Athens has not yet decided whether it wants the domestic defense industry to participate). As already noted in an extensive report by “K”, before the start of negotiations between Athens and the Americans, it remains to be decided whether the clauses on additional resources (in the form of benefits from the manufacturer for the national defense) will be activated, which will be used for infrastructure, mainly in relation to secret networks and cyber defense.

The second concerns Black Hawk helicopters, which are considered by GEETHA to be a reliable solution capable of meeting the needs of all industries served by very old technology helicopters. However, there are still some objections from GEA at the moment, which are yet to be clarified in the near future.

UAV

Programs that are likely to go through FMF could include American MQ-9 UAVs, such as those stationed in Larissa. It is worth noting that in this case, the MQ-9 will enter service with the Armed Forces not as an offensive weapon, but as unmanned aerial vehicles performing reconnaissance operations similar to those already carried out from Skyros by Israeli HERON IAI equipment. . FMF programs also allow the user to purchase systems made in third countries, provided that the United States participates either as a co-producer or as a sponsor. In this case, Athens wants to activate FMF in the direction of deliveries of high-precision and effective anti-aircraft systems, such as the Israeli Iron Dome, in which the money of the American state has been invested by decisions of Congress since 2010, and in recent years there has also been synergy between Israeli manufacturers and American companies.

FMF should not be confused with the excess material that the Armed Forces already receive from the US through the Excess Defense Articles process, and it mainly concerns the old American systems for retirement, which are simply donated or at minimal cost to allied countries. the latest example is the potential availability of the M2A2 Bradley armored fighting vehicle (AFV).