The new $4 billion defense package, finalized at yesterday’s 6th Round of the Greece-U.S. Strategic Dialogue, is aimed at further enhancing the operational capabilities and updating the requirements of the strategic weapons systems of the Greek Armed Forces.

According to reports, the new procurements form part of the update to the Unified Medium-Term Development and Modernization Program (EMPAE), which is why they are expected to be approved by Parliament in the coming period.

According to information, yesterday’s agreements, which will be implemented through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, concern:

• the armament of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets,
• the upgrade of 38 F-16s to the Viper configuration,
• the transfer of Stryker armored vehicles,
• as well as Follow-On Support (FOS) contracts, with an emphasis on the new helicopters.

The communiqué

As noted in the Joint Communiqué of the Strategic Dialogue:

“Greece and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their longstanding cooperation in the areas of defense and security. Greece and the United States announced $4 billion in Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of military equipment, in support of Greece’s long-term defense planning and with the aim of further strengthening interoperability, as well as exploring future opportunities for cooperation between the defense industries, including in the field of innovative technologies.

The two sides finalized Greece’s participation in the U.S. National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program with the State of Florida and strengthened interoperability through the provision of Stryker armored vehicles to Greece. Both sides reaffirmed the strategic value of their defense cooperation in achieving both bilateral security objectives and those of NATO. They expanded cooperation in the areas of law enforcement and counterterrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to addressing illegal migration.”

Florida as the “key”

The State of Florida, the home state of President Donald Trump and the electoral base of Marco Rubio, played a pivotal role in further deepening Greece-U.S. defense cooperation. This was underscored by yesterday’s signing of the agreement between Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA), General Dimitrios Houpis, and the Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard, Major General John Haas.

This is not limited to cooperation in training and the transfer of know-how, but also reflects the presence in Florida of other critical U.S. military units, beyond the National Guard. Specifically, the Black Hawk helicopters are manufactured in Florida, with 35 of them expected to arrive in Greece in early 2027. Yesterday’s defense package already provides for FOS for the Greek Black Hawks, while also leaving open the possibility of further cooperation, based on interoperability with the Greek defense industry.

Speaking at the signing of the Letter of Intent (LOI) for cooperation between the Greek Armed Forces and the Florida National Guard, Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias stressed that “the Agreement signed moments ago between the Chief of the General Staff of the Ministry of National Defence and the Florida National Guard adds an additional dimension to our cooperation within the framework of the overall reform of the Greek Armed Forces.”

He added that “within the framework of the ‘Agenda 2030,’ our country is seeking best practices so that we can reach the operational level we desire, both for the Armed Forces in the strict sense, but also for our Reserve Forces. In this context, the transfer of know-how, joint exercises, and close communication with the Florida National Guard give us an additional capability.”