(26. Januar 2021)
ANTONIS SROITER: So, with your signature, Greece took a very important step towards armaments, after a very long time. It got the Rafale. I read, I hear, you saw it as well, that there is an intention, from the Air Force’s side, and provided that the financial situation will allow it, to proceed to a new order; Minister, I would like to ask if this perspective is on the table…
NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: Everything is on the table, in the context of a massive and organized plan to re-equip the Armed Forces.
We have designed this plan very attentively, setting priorities, ranking the needs, under the HNDGS’s coordination over the other General Staffs, yet of course with the needed contribution from the Army, Air Force and Navy General Staffs; we designed it, we submitted it for approval to the Prime Minister, who approved it, and we now proceed to its implementation. It is a very ambitious, long-term plan, it is not a sudden “armaments frenzy” taking over our country, it will progress over time and broadly cover all three Branches of the Armed Forces, including – other than the acquisition of new systems, e.g. the Rafale – the upgrade of existing systems, which is also very important. If we upgrade and bring back to full operability all that we already have, we will cover a large part of our needs; however we also need new ones.
In this context, we proceed to some acquirements, which make the biggest impression to the people, such as the 18 Rafales. Yesterday, we had the pleasure to sign with the French side.
To tell you the truth, only yesterday did I realise how content, but also surprised, was the French side, seeing that we proceeded with this contract in record time, within four months since the beginning of the negotiations, and in less than a year, something that is also unusual, at least for the Greek reality – but not only –, the first aircraft will be delivered to the Air Force this summer.
ANTONIS SROITER: Give us the story, if any. I was informed that, among the scenarios on the table (as I was looking for the infamous intermediary vessel, until receiving the frigates – and we shall refer later to the frigates), there was one saying that, instead of receiving an intermediary vessel, we would further enhance our Air Force with more Rafale, so as to fill the gap.
NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: Look, the aspiring plan of the so-called “Force Structure” provides for the acquirement of 40 new combat aircraft, in the long run. We got 18 Rafale. Obviously, we could acquire more, yet it is the Air Force, the General Staff, to advise us on what to do from now on. We take into consideration the experts’ proposals, and this is what we, as Political Leadership, try to implement.
Sooner or later, we shall discuss the acquirement of F-35. Now is not the time yet, but sooner or later we shall change to fifth generation aircraft. The basic 5th generation aircraft at NATO level now is the F-35. However, we could always discuss the issue of acquiring more Rafale.
This year, there is an ongoing upgrade programme for four F-16 Viper, which is currently the most advanced F-16 version globally. In a few days, the first Viper shall fly in America, so as to undergo the structural reforms, rather interventions, needed so as to be subsumed in the availabilities; then, we shall enter the production line, so as to produce from eight to twelve, based on this programme, for the next seven years.