The continuous addition of new Rafales (“gust of wind”) to the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) fleet (soon Greece will receive the 11th and so on) has created a new balance of power over the Aegean. This new reality has “disturbed” the Turkish officers, who see with horror that the battle tactics over the Aegean are shifting in Greece’s favour.

According to people who are privy to the training of Greek pilots on the new planes and their integration into the field as it has been formed over the Aegean, the new Rafales are an insurmountable strategic advantage for our country.

As they stress, the Greek pilots are now able to “lock on a target” from far away. In fact, they characteristically report that they can lock the Turkish F16s without having to move away from… Evia, an island off the coast of mainland Greece.

It may sound like an exaggeration, but it is a reality, as the Rafales with their electronic systems, are effectively almost fifth-generation weapons enabling Greek operators to take full advantage of all modern weapons, such as Meteor missiles, which are now the fear and terror of Turkish pilots.

Greece’s air superiority via the Rafale has now become clear by the exercises taking place between the new acquisitions of the HAF Greek F-16s of various types. A simulation that corresponds to the real situation over the Aegean, as the American planes are the main body of the Turkish air force.

In all “air battles” so far, the Rafale has a huge advantage over F-16s of any type. Although the F-16 appears to be more versatile in close dogfights, the Rafale’s firepower makes it a much more powerful weapon. At the same time, due to its flight characteristics and canards, it has many possibilities for complex high-g maneuvers that the F-16 cannot follow.

However, its most important advantage is the sophisticated AESA radar which allows it to “lock” a target quickly and at a long range. As those in the know say, at a radius of 60 kilometres there is no way any enemy fighter can survive a Meteor launched by a Rafale.

As is obvious, the Rafale is a real game changer for the Aegean. And together with the F-16 Vipers, they are now an invincible combination, which has drastically changed the balance in the Aegean in favour of Greece.

Being able to lock onto the target as soon as you leave the runway at Tanagra is like a dream come true for the Greek pilots. And a nightmare for those planning to come at night.