US approves F-35 fighter jet deal, Greece issues welcoming statement

AFP reported that after months of negotiations, the US government on January 26 approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Greece.

An F-35 fighter jet flies in the sky during the Fleet Week event in San Francisco, California, the US on October 7, 2022. (Source: Anadolu Agency)

On January 27, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed the US decision to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Athens.

"Today is an important day for our defense and for Greek diplomacy. Greece is officially purchasing up to 40 new generation F-35 fighter jets," Mitsotakis said in a statement.

The deal is worth $8.6 billion.

Mr Mitsotakis said he had received a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which “showed the strategic strength of Greek-American relations”.

In the letter, Secretary of State Blinken wrote: "Greece has taken remarkable steps to modernize its defense capabilities. I look forward to strengthening cooperation and developing a stronger strategic relationship between our armed forces."

As required by US law, the State Department notified Congress of these agreements, which remain in place until Türkiye, Greece's defense target, ratifies Sweden's NATO membership.

In addition to the F-35 fighter jets, Greece will "purchase a very large amount of equipment to strengthen the three branches of the Armed Forces and the Greek Coast Guard." The shipment includes frigates, C-130 cargo planes, tanks, armored vehicles and many other military equipment.

For a long time, Greece has sought to purchase more modern F-35 jets from the United States as part of its defense strategy against Türkiye, with which it has often had tense relations.

Athens strongly opposes the US sale of F-16s to Ankara due to maritime border disputes in the eastern Mediterranean, which is rich in energy resources.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-phe-duyet-thuong-vu-may-bay-chien-dau-f-35-hy-lap-ra-tuyen-bo-hoan-nghenh-259011.html