About 350 million euros it is assumed that the first installment for the supply will vary F-35 fifth generation fightersafter the final removal of the so-called SSI from the final price of American aircraft.

According to well-informed sources, while a response (Letter of Acceptance-LOA) from the US side is still pending, cost estimates can be relatively accurate based on fixed specifications such as the total number of 20 F-35As that the Air Force (PA ) will receive between 2028 to 2033.

This should not include the cost of converting the 117th Fighter Wing in Andravida to an F-35 base, which, after the abolition of the so-called SSI (industrial cooperation and security of supply agreements), cannot be accurately calculated.

As promptly informed its readers “K. repayment of the F-35 can be made through the FMF (Foreign Military Funding) concessional loans program. This means that Athens can, through an intergovernmental agreement to be signed between Greece and the US, borrow at an interest rate that cannot exceed the interest rate at which the US government borrows.

The role of GETHA leader Konstantinos Floros the possibility of Greece again – after thirty years – to join the status of a country eligible for FMF is known. Although at the present stage Greece is in a period of an interim government that has no executive power (except for unforeseen circumstances), therefore it can neither discuss armaments nor sign contracts.

One of the reasons that the US Response of Acceptance (LOA), which would signal the possibility of starting negotiations, is being delayed is precisely this political expectation. However, already before the elections under the program 20 F-35 (Greece has shown interest in a total of 40 ships in the 20+20 format in the second year), as well as other important equipment (corvettes for the Navy), the necessary budget has already been secured.

In this sense, it is assumed that the existing questions about how the infrastructure that will house the F-35s will be financed (they will be built on the basis of specifications that will be given and dictated by the Americans) will be resolved relatively easily, since the cost is not considered prohibitive.

In any case, these infrastructures should be ready before 2028 and certified by the US Air Force and, of course, the manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Part of the discussion also concerns the armament of the F-35, which will take place when discussions begin on the purchase of the aircraft and the final cost that may arise per unit is established.