The Greek Ministry of Defense has begun considering an alternative plan to strengthen its air force by purchasing additional fifth-generation F-35 fighters. This decision could be made instead of continuing the modernization of a large part of its existing F-16 fleet.
As reported by Kathimerini, Athens is currently considering ordering another 8–12 F-35s, in addition to the 20 aircraft already ordered in July 2024 for approximately 3.5 billion dollars. The contract included an option for another 20 aircraft, so Greece could make use of it.
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The reason for abandoning the modernization of the F-16 fleet in order to extend its service life is quite interesting. Greece has a very large fleet of these aircraft in different versions, acquired and modernized under separate contracts.
Currently, the Hellenic Air Force operates 32 F-16 Block 30s, 38 Block 50s, and 84 Block 52s, with the Block 52s being upgraded to Block 72 under a 2018 contract. About 40 aircraft have already been upgraded, and the modernization of all Block 52s to Block 72 is to be completed by 2027.
After that, the plan was to modernize the 38 F-16 Block 50s to the Block 52+/adv version, using components removed from the Block 52s during their modernization. This option had been actively discussed since 2020, reaching concrete agreements in spring 2022. Athens managed to negotiate favorable terms — instead of 1.9 billion euros, the cost was reduced to 900 million euros (23.7 million per aircraft), with the work to be carried out in Greece by Hellenic Aerospace Industry.
However, it turned out that negotiations on this project were still ongoing, but not very actively. Eventually, the idea emerged not to modernize the F-16 Block 50s at all, but to redirect the freed-up funds toward the purchase of F-35s. However, to buy 8–12 fifth-generation fighters, Athens would have to prepare 1.6–2.4 billion euros and also wait until after 2033 for the aircraft.
This also means that Athens may decide to put up for sale 38 F-16 Block 50s, as well as 32 older F-16 Block 30s, whose sale has been discussed since 2024. For now, however, Athens is keeping them.
At the same time, it should be noted that used F-16s produced in the 1980s are currently a fairly liquid asset and are being purchased. For example, Romania did so, while the sale of such aircraft to Argentina required cutting aid to Ukraine.
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