Greece Considers Sending 32 F-16s, Mirage Jets to Ukraine: Report

In a widening effort to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, Greece is contemplating the transfer of up to 32 F-16 fighter jets, alongside potential Mirage aircraft, to support Ukraine's air fleet.

The move, if realized, would mark Greece as a major contributor of F-16s to Ukraine, joining a growing coalition of countries aiding Ukraine's defense.

The Greek government's proposal involves selling 108 fighter jets currently slated for decommissioning, including 32 units of F-16C/D Block 30 jets. This decision comes after Greece initiated a process in July 2022 to sell these jets and associated equipment valued at €117 million, which did not materialize, leading to the deterioration of the aircraft stored in open conditions.

According to reports from the Greek edition of Newsbreak, the transfer of the F-16C/D Block 30 to Ukraine is considered "almost certain," while discussions surrounding the potential sale of 24 Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 platforms to Ukraine remain complex due to necessary approvals from France.

The decision aligns with recent discussions on increased military support for Ukraine. On April 10, Greece's Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, met with Dutch Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren at the Hellenic First Army/EU-OHQ in Larissa to discuss this importance, as shared in a post by Ollongren on social media. Although specifics on the F-16 plan were not mentioned, the meeting underscores a collective effort to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine emphasized that international partners will only supply 10% of the needed F-16 aircraft this year, highlighting the urgent demand for military assistance amid the ongoing conflict.

Norway and the U.S. are collaborating to provide military support by sending a total of 22 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Norwegian news sources reported a redirection of 12 F-16s originally intended for sale to Draken International, now allocated for Ukraine's use, with U.S. authorization for the transfer alongside necessary equipment and training for Ukrainian pilots.

Additionally, Denmark is contributing six F-16s, and the Netherlands plans to offer 24 F-16s to Ukraine, accompanied by the procurement of air-to-air missiles to enhance Ukraine's operational capabilities.