As part of a fierce game of geopolitical poker based on air supremacy in the Aegean sea and to Eastern MediterraneanAthens Faces Menendez Amendment Up for Sale F-16 in Turkey on terms and principles agreed between its two legislatures Congress.

Greek air superiority is now guaranteed even if Congress eventually approves the F-16 contract. Already in Air Force (AF) new Rafal and updated F-16 Viperand during 2023, perhaps even before Easter, the first procedural steps of negotiations on F-35. In short, at the end of the current decade, between 2027 and 2030, when Greece enters the ranks of the PA with the first F-35s, Turkey will receive the first F-16 Vipers.

Update program

In 2027-2028, the modernization program for 83 F-16 Viper PA will be completed, it will include at least 24 Rafales, and much earlier, during 2023-24, the delivery of American MQ-9 UAVs will be completed. It is expected that in this period of time, in addition to the aviation sector, Athens and Washington will further strengthen their relationship, mainly through the expansion of the American presence in Souda, Alexandroupolis, Larisa and other bases.

New Rafales, redesigned F-16 Vipers and harmonized F-35s will keep Greece’s air supremacy on the agenda at the KYSEA meeting.

Per Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which under normal circumstances will lead its country to elections in June 2023, it would be ideal to start the procedural steps to acquire the F-16 at an earlier stage. Of course, the result of the midterm elections in the United States in early November and the composition of Congress from the new year can decide the decisive balance of power.

Balances

In Athens, there is also a sense of internal balance in Washington between the government – mainly the State Department – and Congress. But also for the big picture, centered on the fact that Turkey remains a NATO member state that is asking the US to upgrade its air fleet, which – at least in principle – strengthens the overall capability of the North Atlantic Treaty in an area with known geopolitical difficulties.

Moreover, it is clear that Washington at this stage does not want to send messages about the alienation of Ankara, but to use this discussion about the F-16 as a bargaining chip for the really serious differences that exist in the midst of the war in Ukraine. between the US and Turkey.

Definition

Meanwhile, yesterday at the meeting of the Governmental National Security Council (KYSEA), a broad agenda was held regarding the implementation of part of the equipment and modernization of the systems of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard, updating the Aegis civil protection program, as well as a plan to continue the fence to Evros. KYSEA also discussed Turkey’s behavior in the region, where it was confirmed that Greece must maintain a tactic of calm and determination, which it follows to this day.