As the official visit of PM Mitsotakis to the US is in full swing, according to well-informed sources, Greece will acquire a squadron of F-35 jets, a deal that could change the balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean giving the Hellenic Air Force substantial deterrent power over the Aegean Sea against the Turkish threat.

The announcements about the reinforcement of the Greek Air Force with 5th generation warplanes were made by high-ranking Greek government sources immediately after the meeting of Kyriakos Mitsotakis with US President Joe Biden and the talks between the delegations of the two countries, as evidenced by the information that became known from both sides.

According to well-informed Greek diplomatic sources, in the one-on-one meeting between Mitsotakis and Biden at the White House Oval Office, as well as in the bilateral talks that followed between the countries’ delegations, the long-term defensive capacity of Greece against the Turkish threat was boosted after the agreement as from 2028 onwards when Greece will have the necessary budgetary space to proceed with such an important purchase.

In the meantime, as it also became known after the talks in the White House, the manufacturer of the F-35 American company Lockheed Martin will proceed to the acquisition of a minority stake in the Hellenic Aviation Industry (EAB) which will undertake the construction of part of the advanced aircraft.

The relevant expression of interest on the part of the American company took place last Friday without receiving the appropriate publicity, while, according to what government sources broadcast, the Greek government will retain the majority in the share capital of EAB which is considered of strategic importance for our country.

The Greek Prime Minister reportedly showed the American President the Turkish map with the so-called “Blue Homeland” to underline the range of threats to its integrity that Greece was facing, forcing it arm itself against the aggression.