Dendias: Prioritizing F-35 Acquisition Was the Right Move – “Everything Is Judged by Results”

One time aft the Trump–Erdogan meeting at the White House, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized that the Mitsotakis government made the close determination successful prioritizing the acquisition of F-35 stealth fighters, fifth-generation craft that heighten Greece’s strategical defence capabilities.

Dendias highlighted that this determination ensures Greece acquires the jets earlier Turkey could perchance get them, reinforcing the nation’s defence readiness. The archetypal F-35 with Greek markings is expected to onshore at Andravida Air Base successful astir 4 years.

Responding to Criticism

Dendias’ connection comes after criticism following the July 2024 announcement of the F-35 purchase:

• Opposition voices and commentators raised concerns about wasting nationalist resources and Greece being drawn into an arms race that mightiness not lucifer the existent defence needs of the Air Force.
• Technical analyses questioned the suitability of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 for Greece and its compatibility with existing systems.

In a station on X (formerly Twitter), the curate reiterated that the government correctly prioritized the F-35s, sharing a video of his caller remarks earlier the Parliamentary Committee connected Defense and Foreign Affairs.

Parliamentary Discussion

On September 24, Dendias recalled the parliamentary debate:

“Admiral (ret.) Apostolakis asked: ‘Why are you going for F-35s erstwhile the Navy has large needs?’”

Dendias responded:“Excuse me, but who volition instrumentality work if successful the adjacent elections, Trump wins and Erdogan succeeds successful getting F-35s earlier Greece?”

He concluded:“We prioritized the F-35s, and it was the close decision. It has been proven right.”

He noted that portion helium does not presume Turkey volition decidedly get the jets, Greece securing them archetypal is basal strategical foresight:“We volition person them, and fto the Turks try.”