The risk of complications that can even lead to its “freezing”. F-35 programspresent initiatives recently taken at the service level to conserve resources that will be used for infrastructure construction required to service fifth generation aircraft. In the previous period, officials of the Ministry of Defense, with some leaks, claimed that they were slaughtering the “successor” of the “sinners” compensation payments (which have been cancelled), which have been replaced by Industrial Cooperation and Security of Supply (SSI) agreements, at least in the case of Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, saving 600-700 million euros.

Questions have been raised from the outset about the need to start this discussion, despite its noble motives for saving public money, since all countries that currently have F-35s have SSI agreements, so that the competent US authority (Joint Program Office-JPO) start building infrastructure such as buildings, security systems, secret networks and cyber defenses. The Prime Minister’s Office has already been made aware of the potential breach of SSI as the JPO releases plans, specifications and requirements to support the F-35 directly to approved contractors. In recent contacts with Greece, ahead of an intergovernmental agreement expected to be signed in the spring, JPO has stipulated that infrastructure projects will be awarded to local agencies that are reliable and can respond to specifications and on schedule. That is, if the agreement is signed in April, then in four years, that is, in the spring of 2027, the infrastructure should be ready.

Government decisions must be taken immediately, despite the fact that the country will soon officially enter the pre-election period.

With air force does not have the ability to build this infrastructure, while the lengthy procedures of the Greek State may cause delays, the possibility is visible that – in the event of SSI cancellation – Greece will purchase F-35s on schedule and … there is nowhere to park them. Thus, without the participation of JPO through SSI, even Greek companies that may have the opportunity to participate in the project will not be able to get certified.

Those suggesting that the prime minister continue to work normally with SSI emphasize first of all that the amount of 600-700 million euros has not yet arisen, while the infrastructure still seems to cost about 150 million euros. In addition, co-producing countries (Italy, UK, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway), as well as countries that purchased F-35s through the relevant US Foreign Defense Sales (FMS) process, have begun implementing these projects through JPO.). And in this case, the Greek side has the opportunity to ensure participation through companies in industrial cooperation for the purpose of investment and transfer of know-how.

Even though this is a pre-election period, given that the American response is likely to come either shortly before or immediately after the election (if it takes place on April 9), this is an issue that the government is called upon to resolve. decide immediately.