Page 7 - ADT JUNE - JULY 2021 Online Magazine

Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The bipartisan legislation boosts support for
Greece’s military modernisation by authorising
new transfers of American military equipment
and fostering increased multilateral engage-
ment among Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the [ COVER STORY ]
United States. The legislation authorises expe-
dited delivery of any future F-35 aircraft ordered
by Athens and delivery of excess defence arti-
cles to Greece.

“AS A RELIABLE NATO ALLY,
GREECE PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE
IN PROMOTING SECURITY AND
STABILITY IN THE EASTERN
MEDITERRANEAN,” Senator Bob
Greek Ministry of Defense, during the meeting, a proposal to further Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate
examine the evaluation capabilities for the acquisition of frigates Foreign Relations Committee
from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom
and the United States were accepted. France has offered to give “IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT

the Greek navy two first-class frigates, the “Jean Bart” (anti-aircraft THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
warfare) and the “Latouche-Tréville” (anti-submarine warfare) free REMAINS SECURE, THE US
of charge, La Tribune reported.
MUST BOLSTER ITS DEFENCE
The French Navy will hand over these two vessels if Athens chooses RELATIONSHIP WITH GREECE BY
France through its international call for tenders to build new frigates SUPPORTING GREECE’S EFFORTS TO
for the Greek Navy. MODERNISE ITS ARMED FORCES.”

The U.S. Connection
The U.S. sees Greece as a pillar of stability in the region and is Reports emerged in April 2019 that Greece
therefore committed to deepening defence cooperation. was weighing a potential acquisition of up to
30 Lockheed Martin F-35s as a replacement
“Greece has invested over US$1 billion in U.S. Navy equipment and for the oldest F-16C/Ds in the Hellenic Air
capabilities, including upgraded P-3Bs and the MH-60R. The U.S. Force’s inventory. Prime Minister Mitsotakis
Navy’s proposal for the Hellenic Future Frigate, which is backed by reiterated this interest during a visit with then
a government-to-government agreement, will capitalize on Greece’s U.S. President Donald Trump at the White
current defence investments, and ensure the most advanced mar- House back in January 2019, and then Defense
itime capability in the region,” says Navy Capt. Tim Ketter, a senior Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos announced
defence official for the U.S. in Greece. shortly thereafter plans to acquire 24 F-35s at
the cost of US$3 billion. That supposed acqui-
U.S.-based Lockheed Martin will be entering a competitive contest sition would parallel the ongoing modernization
for the frigate programme. Lockheed is also proposing upgrades of 85 fighters in the Hellenic Air Force’ F-16 fleet
to the Hellenic Navy Hydra-class frigates with a combat system to the F-16V Viper (Block 70/72) variant.
derived from the Aegis Combat System. According to this proposal,
the first HFF-type (Hellenic Navy Future Frigate) will be built at the The U.S and Greece also conducted bilateral
Italian shipyard of Fincantieri by Lockheed Martin. military exercise christened “Poseidon’s Rage,”
with the participation of defence forces from
Greece has already purchased Lockheed MH-60R multi-mission both the countries.
helicopters, which would be easily compatible with the Component-
Based Total-Ship System – 21st Century (COMBATSS-21) combat Partnership Expansion
system. In June, a bill to strengthen the military alliance between Greece is not limited to its traditional allies
the U.S. and Greece, with America helping Greece improve its and partners, like Europe and the USA, which
military with new technology and equipment was introduced in clearly play a major role because of their polit-
the U.S. Senate. ical and economic weight.

Titled “U.S.-Greece Defense and Inter-parliamentary Partnership Recently, Israel and Greece signed their big-
Act of 2021”, it was initiated by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and gest ever defence procurement deal, which

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY June/July 2021 | 7