Greek Rafales to be mission-ready in January
The first Rafale aircraft for the Hellenic Air Force, pictured during a July 2021 acceptance ceremony. (Photo: Hellenic Air Force)
The Hellenic Air Force will be ready for Rafale operations as soon as the first six aircraft arrive next month.
The first six Rafale multirole fighters on order from Dassault for the Hellenic Air Force will be ready for operations after delivery in January 2021, Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported on 12 December.
The 114th Combat Wing will be the first HAF unit to operate the new-build Rafales, with its pilots having already completed training in France.
A further 12 ex-French Air and Space Force Rafales will be delivered over the next two years, and Kathimerini noted that preparations are almost completed to buy six more.
The deal for the first 18 Rafales, signed in January 2021, is worth €2.49 billion ($3.02 billion) and includes missiles from MBDA and Safran (AASM Hammer).
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
-
![DSEI 2025: Helsing and Systematic join forces to revolutionise drone recce-strike missions]()
DSEI 2025: Helsing and Systematic join forces to revolutionise drone recce-strike missions
The partnership will integrate Helsing’s AI-powered systems with the Systematic SitaWare suite of C4ISR currently used by more than 50 nations, enabling faster data exchange between ISR UAVs and Helsing’s HX-2 loitering munitions.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine]()
DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine
The programme will work to build and deploy the drones to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia, coming a day after Poland shot down 19 Russian drones in its airspace.
-
![DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue]()
DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue
The addition of Red Cat’s Black Widow to NATO’s NSPA catalogue opens the doors for allied forces to more easily procure the AI-enabled drone.
