Greece receives six new Dassault Rafale fighter jets

how we had earlier this month, the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) received its first six Dassault Rafale fighters this Wednesday (19). The aircraft landed at Tanagra Air Base, its new operational headquarters.

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The aircraft, four single-seat Rafale EG and two two-seat Rafale DG, took off this morning from the headquarters of the manufacturer Dassault Aviation in Istres, .

My snapshots of the first 6 #Rafale EG/DG.

The Hellenic Air Force, after 10 years of harsh and difficult management, maintains consolidating its superior position in the East Med and beyond. pic.twitter.com/ECGzCbN20y

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— Snips🇬🇷 (@Snips_99) January 19, 2022

Under the command of the first HAF Rafale pilots, the fighters were received in Tanagra by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accompanied by the Minister of National Defense Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and other authorities. Éric Trappier, President and CEO of Dassault, was also present.

Before landing in Tanagra, the new planes flew over the Acropolis in Athens, accompanied by Mirage 2000 fighter jets, also based at the base. In the new installations, the planes received the traditional baptism of water and ceremonial blessings.

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6 Hellenic Air Force #Rafale flying over #Athens together with Mirage 2000
Video dedicated to @nob0dymyname for his extraordinary work on photos and love to Hellenic Armed Forces pic.twitter.com/nBUXu00QGP

— PMSC_Dude🇬🇷🇵🇦 (@Dude2Mpmc) January 19, 2022

#Greece welcomes the 6 brand new #Rafale fighter gets.
Even PM @kmitsotakis is attending… pic.twitter.com/40uRsv1s4L

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- Liana Spyropoulou (@LSpyropoulou) January 19, 2022

The fighters arrived in the country a little less than a year after the initial contract for the acquisition of 18 aircraft was signed. On 25/01/2021, Greece and officially purchased 12 used aircraft and six new factory units. In September, the Prime Minister announced that decided to buy six more Rafales, increasing the number of aircraft purchased to 24.

Mitsotakis said the jets will increase the country's deterrent power. “The new fighters make our air force one of the strongest in Europe and the Mediterranean and seal the Greek-French defense agreement.”

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Greece's first 6 #Rafale aircraft arrived in Tanagra AFB, Greece earlier today. Greece has ordered a total of 24 Rafale aircraft.#HellenicAirForce pic.twitter.com/QTqTNYWJrh

— Nomas_21 (@Nomas_821) January 19, 2022

Minister Panagiotopoulos underlined that the arrival of the planes is a special moment for cooperation between the two countries. "These superior, state-of-the-art aircraft multiply the Air Force's deterrent power and strengthen our ability to meet any security challenge in our area." stated.

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The aircraft are all of the F3R standard, the most advanced in service today, and from now on they will be operated by Squadron 332 of the 114th Combat Wing at Tanagra Air Base. The Rafale is the third French model to operate at the base, which is now home to the Mirage 2000 deltas and has housed Mirage F1 fighters.

The contract between Paris and Athens also includes pilot and technician training, logistical and maintenance and other items. In of armament, the Rafale EG/DG will receive MICA and Meteor air-to-air missiles, Exocet anti-ship missiles and the SCALP cruise missile. Both Exocet and MICA are already operated by the HAF on the Mirage 2000.

Rafale M Exocet — A Rafale M takes off armed with MICA air-to-air missiles and an AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile.

“The skill with which the Hellenic Air Force carried out this first transfer flight is a testament to the excellence of our cooperation and the strength of our historic relationship with Greece spanning over 45 years. Thanks to our mobilization, we were able to meet the expectations of the Greek authorities in record time, who now have the Rafale in national territory to reinforce the country's protection and sovereignty. It also attests to the excellent quality of our aircraft, confirmed by the success in exports. Ultimately, it reflects our full commitment to meeting the needs of the HAF and participating in Greece's strategic ambitions.” stated Eric Trappier at the end of the ceremony.

According to Dassault, the next batch of Greek Rafales will be sent to the country at the end of 2022, with the aim of having the entire fleet deployed at Tanagra Air Base by summer 2023.