Greece orders Rafales amid broader procurement surge
Dassault is to supply 18 Rafale multirole fighters to Greece, to continue the relationship between the French aircraft manufacturer and the Hellenic Air Force.
The aircraft will be delivered as a mix of Rafale B two-seaters and Rafale C single-seaters.
Neither the delivery timescale nor cost details were disclosed but Shephard Defence Insight calculates a typical unit price of $100 million for Rafale.
Announcing the deal on 12 September, Dassault stated: ‘This announcement illustrates the strength of the partnership that has linked the Greek Air Force and Dassault Aviation for more than 45 years.’
Greece bought Mirage F1s in the 1970s, Mirage 2000s in 1985 and Mirage 2000-5s in 2000.
Dassault acknowledged the geopolitical dimension of the latest deal, noting that it ‘demonstrates the enduring strategic relationship between Greece and France’.
The Rafale deal for Greece also reflects ‘an export policy that I have been pursuing with conviction since 2017’, French Defence Minister Florence Parly claimed on 12 September.
Dassault confirmed on 23 July that it had already delivered seven Rafales to export customers in H1 2020, with initial deliveries to India following shortly afterwards.
Greece is mounting a procurement surge amid renewed tension with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. In announcing the Rafale deal, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also said the country is buying or upgrading four frigates and four helicopters; acquiring anti-tank weapons, torpedoes and missiles; recruiting 15,000 troops; and making further investments in the domestic defence industry.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon]()
Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon
The technology demonstrator forms part of a wider effort to help the Royal Navy explore the potential of uncrewed systems supporting its existing crewed aviation platforms.
-
![Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision]()
Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision
The MQ-7C uncrewed aircraft is currently undergoing further internal flight tests ahead of a government test event anticipated for next year.
-
![November Drone Digest: GA-ASI eyes Middle East for Gambit, Edge Group unveils new UAVs]()
November Drone Digest: GA-ASI eyes Middle East for Gambit, Edge Group unveils new UAVs
In November 2025, GA-ASI unveiled a new Gambit variant, the Gambit 6, and appears to be pitching the aircraft series to various customers in the Middle East, which is a fast-emerging CCA market. The Dubai Airshow also saw the unveiling of various Emirati aircraft from Edge Group.
-
![Baykar’s Kizilelma drone makes progress with first air-to-air kill]()
Baykar’s Kizilelma drone makes progress with first air-to-air kill
This test is the latest milestone achieved by the indigenous drone, destroying a target using a beyond-visual-range missile.
-
![Lockheed plans further solid rocket motor investment in Europe and Middle East]()
Lockheed plans further solid rocket motor investment in Europe and Middle East
The company has worked to heavily invest in its solid rocket motor production capabilities, both in the US and internationally, to build a strong supply chain to meet growing demand.
-
![Boeing to build Apache AH-64E attack helicopters for Poland, Egypt and Kuwait]()
Boeing to build Apache AH-64E attack helicopters for Poland, Egypt and Kuwait
The $4.7 billion international order for the three countries will see production conclude around May 2032.
