Well, this is new

[Wdll]

Not sure how accurate, close to truth it is, but I just found this
http://en.protothema.gr/greece-to-get-f-35-stealth-jets-photos-video/

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I will place this ref in the appropriate (For me.) Thread later. Most of us know some of what the tensions between Greece and Turkey is about and it's certainly been ongoing for decades and more. The truth is Greece has been very concerned about Turkeys announced buy of 100 F-35 fighters and the more recent possible additional 24 more fighters for about ten years now.

Now Greece wants to but up to 354 F-35 fighters as reported by some in older reporting. Even if they went to a parity buy with Turkey how would they pay for it? The current plan this ref. below is reporting will give Greece it's best options. The F-16V (VIPER) is the most advanced F-16 flying now by ANYONE and would serve Greece well in it's air defense needs at a total fleet revision cost at between 1.5-2.0 billion dollars. The VERY long overdue upgrade to the S-300 systems would be most welcome some would suggest up to the S-400 standard (Russia is currently op evaluating the S-500.) which is one of the most advanced systems in the world.

Greece will request through Lockheed Martin for U.S. permission to buy them. But this hasn't happened yet and I can assure when it does it'll be widely reported.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18436/Greece_To_Upgrade_F_16_Fighter_Jets__To_Press_For_ F_35_Buy

My time is done here, I hear the shower calling me to get ready for work. :D

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

[Wdll]

I will place this ref in the appropriate (For me.) Thread later. Most of us know some of what the tensions between Greece and Turkey is about and it's certainly been ongoing for decades and more. The truth is Greece has been very concerned about Turkeys announced buy of 100 F-35 fighters and the more recent possible additional 24 more fighters for about ten years now.

Now Greece wants to but up to 354 F-35 fighters as reported by some in older reporting. Even if they went to a parity buy with Turkey how would they pay for it? The current plan this ref. below is reporting will give Greece it's best options. The F-16V (VIPER) is the most advanced F-16 flying now by ANYONE and would serve Greece well in it's air defense needs at a total fleet revision cost at between 1.5-2.0 billion dollars. The VERY long overdue upgrade to the S-300 systems would be most welcome some would suggest up to the S-400 standard (Russia is currently op evaluating the S-500.) which is one of the most advanced systems in the world.

Greece will request through Lockheed Martin for U.S. permission to buy them. But this hasn't happened yet and I can assure when it does it'll be widely reported.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18436/Greece_To_Upgrade_F_16_Fighter_Jets__To_Press_For_ F_35_Buy

My time is done here, I hear the shower calling me to get ready for work. :D

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Time will tell.

[Aeraaa]

TBH, if I don't see the first F35s flying in HAF markings, I'm always cautious. We do have a history of announcing procurements that never materialise.

[Wdll]

TBH, if I don't see the first F35s flying in HAF markings, I'm always cautious. We do have a history of announcing procurements that never materialise.

Yeah but, the current government would never lie.
:lol

Time will tell indeed.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Just some data points for the F-16V as already discussed.

How New/This new...
https://defensetech.org/2015/10/23/new-f-16v-viper-makes-first-flight/

Fact Sheets...
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f-16v-viper-fighting-falcon-multi-role-fighter/
http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/f16v_viper.htm

Greece should feel safe if it proceeds with the F-16 H.

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

[Aeraaa]

btw, one other less glamorous but IMO highly important potential buy are the 60 OH-58 Kiowa helicopters Greece is interested. The Greek army really needs a light, versatile helicopter like that and let's be honest, the Hueys belong to a museum, not a modern military.

[Suhiir]

Oh?
Nothing that I'm aware of is wrong with the UH-1Y the USMC uses.

And by-the-way ... the OH-58 dates back to 1966 itself.

[Aeraaa]

Oh?
Nothing that I'm aware of is wrong with the UH-1Y the USMC uses.

And by-the-way ... the OH-58 dates back to 1966 itself.

OK, let me rephrase it: the UH-1s WE use belong to a museum. The UH-1Y you mentioned is in service since 2008 IIRC. The OH-58s that will come are also heavily upgraded since the original 1966 model. So giving the original date an airframe was fielded does not say much (otherwise even the F-16s mentioned are old, being in service since 1978).

Plus, the OH-58 can perform some vital missions much better than the UH-1 since it is a smaller airframe (mainly in the reconnaisance department, but also in SF insertion). Nowadays everything is performed by the UH-1, since it is the only one available.

[Suhiir]

The USMC doesn't use the OH-58, so all recon, observation, and small unit inserts are done by the UH-1Y. Those are their main roles. We use the V-22 Osprey for helo assaults and the CH-53 for cargo hauling (and helo transport in low hazard areas).

No reason you can't upgrade your UH-1s.

[shahadi]

btw, one other less glamorous but IMO highly important potential buy are the 60 OH-58 Kiowa helicopters Greece is interested. The Greek army really needs a light, versatile helicopter like that and let's be honest, the Hueys belong to a museum, not a modern military.

I do believe the USA is retiring the OH-58 as of the FY2015 budget. Not sure how that would impact a Greek deal or not.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Lakotas_land_first_time_in_Louisiana.jpg/670px-Lakotas_land_first_time_in_Louisiana.jpg

The UH-72 Lakota (pictured above) is slated as a replacement. So, I am not sure if it would be a good deal for Greece to buy a retired scout platform when the Lakota could do scout, reconnaissance and SF insertion.

Currently, the The AH64-D and AH-64E are due to perform scout and recon roles as well as attack and ground support until sufficient numbers of Lakotas enter service.

The wild card is the Sikorsky S-97 bird (pictured below), however, I do not think it will get the Army's nod.

http://www.army-technology.com/uploads/project/7596/images/148097/large/1l-image.jpg

=====

[halstein]

[QUOTE=Aeraaa;837206]

The wild card is the Sikorsky S-97 bird (pictured below), however, I do not think it will get the Army's nod.

http://www.army-technology.com/uploads/project/7596/images/148097/large/1l-image.jpg

=====
Looks a lot like the cancelled Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne.

[Wdll]

The clow, the defense minister, is at it again, perhaps he does mean it after all.

http://en.protothema.gr/kammenos-we-are-exploring-the-prospect-of-purchasing-f-35-jets/