Does not significantly affect the balance of air forces above the Aegean sea it may be unlocked in the next few years purchase of new F-16s And her Refresh existing from Turkeyas evidenced by the fact that the 2023 defense budget USA it no longer includes the amendments that required it. At best, as negotiations are currently underway at a technical level, Turkey could start receiving the first F-16s sometime between 2026 and 2028. Exact dates will be determined in the coming months.

While Ankara is trying to work out the terms of this new contract (almost $6 billion, which is many times more than the losses suffered by the Turkish industry after it was excluded from the F-35 fifth generation aircraft program), Greek Air Force part of the existing program for the purchase of new fighters and modernization will already be completed. By the end of the year, 12 Rafale fighters will land in Tanagra, and 24 of this type will be delivered by 2024. ODA is also expected to deliver 4 or 5 upgraded F-16 Vipers by the end of the year, with the number expected to reach 83 by the end of 2027. During the first quarter of 2023, they also took the first steps of negotiations with Lockheed Martin to phase out contracts for the supply of fifth generation fighters F-35. As long as the followed procedure does not “stumble” over political ups and downs – inside Greece – then the first F-35 will probably land in Greece even in 2027-2028.

This first quarter of 2023 will largely determine the pace of the program for the purchase of 40 new F-16s and the modernization of 80 of the existing 234 of the same type of Turkish Air Force fighters. Since the battle in Congress is not yet over, it is likely that these discussions could go on for quite some time.