The Hellenic Air Force has officially received its 24th Rafale fighter jet, marking the completion of Greece's acquisition of the advanced French-made aircraft.

The single-seat jet landed at the 114th Combat Wing in Tanagra Air Base shortly after 1 p.m. on Thursday, following a non-stop flight from Mérignac in Bordeaux, France, according to Greek media outlets.

This final aircraft is part of the supplementary contract signed in March 2022, which increased Greece’s initial purchase of 18 Rafale jets to 24. The expanded order also included three FDI frigates, bolstering Greece’s defense capabilities further.

The completion of the Rafale acquisition significantly enhances Greece's defense posture, providing it with a fully equipped squadron of 4.5th generation fighter jets. Analysts note that the addition of these cutting-edge aircraft, combined with advanced Meteor medium-range missiles, gives Greece clear air superiority in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean regions.

The Rafale jets not only represent a technological leap—offering capabilities that rival Turkey's air fleet—but also enable Greece to secure its airspace against potential threats effectively.

Greece signed the initial contract for 18 Rafale F3R fighters in January 2021 at a cost of approximately €2.5 billion. The order comprised 12 slightly used and six new aircraft, along with weapon systems, initial support, training for pilots and technicians, and the necessary infrastructure upgrades at Tanagra Air Base.

The first Rafale was delivered to Greece in July 2021, with six aircraft initially stationed in France for pilot training. The jets were officially welcomed to Tanagra in January 2022.

In March 2022, Athens placed an additional order for six new Rafales at a cost of €1.09 billion, bringing the total strength of the 332nd Squadron to 24 aircraft.

The delivery of the final Rafale cements Greece's investment in modernizing its defense capabilities. With this acquisition, the Hellenic Air Force not only reinforces its operational readiness but also reshapes the balance of power in the region. (ILKHA)