Page 24 - ADT JUNE - JULY 2021 Online Magazine

Changing pact has major geostrategic implications. The [ REPORT ]
deal signals to Turkey that the future contours
of its relationship with Israel will have no bear-
ing on the Israeli-Greek relationship, which
looks set to flourish even more. Coming as it
Equations does in the backdrop of improvement of Greek
Israeli relations in the fields of education, tour-
ism and trade, the contract looks like a natural
progression in the relationship between the
two nations.

The largest-ever defence deal between the
two nations involves the establishment and
operation of an International Flight Training
THE MAJOR DEFENCE DEAL SIGNED BETWEEN Center for Greek pilots by the Israeli defence
ISRAEL AND GREECE AND THE BUDDING TIES contractor. Elbit will be in charge of the facility
BETWEEN ATHENS AND COUNTRIES IN THE for 22 years. Modeled after the Israel Air Force
MIDDLE EAST PROMISE TO CHANGE THE Flight Academy, the Greek International Flight
Training Center will be equipped with 10 M-346
MILITARY BALANCE IN THE REGION training aircraft produced by Leonardo. As part
of the deal, Elbit will upgrade Greece’s T-6 air-
craft and provide operating kits, in addition
Arun Sivasankaran to training, simulators and logistical support.
Importantly, the contract also outlines potential
There is more to the defence procurement deal signed between future areas of cooperation between the Israeli
Greece and Israel in April than its eye-popping size and the obvi- Flight Academy and Hellenic Airforce Training
ous benefits to the Hellenic Armed Forces. Besides significantly Center. According to reports, Greece has plans
ramping up the capabilities of the Hellenic Air Force and ensuring to expand the center to include the participa-
a healthy pipeline of top-notch military pilots, the US$1.68 billion tion of some of its military allies.

24 | June/July 2021 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT