Athens monitors Turkey’s reported Eurofighter purchase, plans further Rafale acquisitions

The imaginable procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon jets by Turkey is not expected to change the equilibrium of powerfulness successful the Aegean, arsenic the Hellenic Air Force maintains technological and operational superiority done its existing F-16 Viper and Rafale fleets and the planned summation of F-35s.

However, the imaginable integration of 20 caller Eurofighters, with an enactment for 20 more, on with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capabilities such arsenic Meteor missiles, has drawn attraction successful Athens. Reports bespeak that Turkey whitethorn get the precocious Tranche 5 variant of the Eurofighter, owed to go available aft 2030, and could stock improvement costs with Germany, which has already placed an bid for the model.

The Tranche 5 version is expected to diagnostic a much almighty radar, enhanced physics warfare systems, and improved sensor and weapons integration compared to the Rafale F3R presently operated by Greece. According to defence sources cited by Kathimerini, the HAF plans to get further Rafales – successful the latest F4 oregon aboriginal F5 configuration – to support its qualitative edge.

The Rafale F3R, successful Greek work since 2018, was the archetypal equipped with an AESA radar and Meteor compatibility. The F4 version, introduced by the French Air Force successful 2023, is expected to stay operational until astatine slightest 2050-2060.