Greece Buys Six More Rafale Jets Amid Turkey Tension

Greece has signed deals to buy 6 more Rafale fighter jets and 3 Belharra navy frigates from France amid tensions with Turkey.

The Daily Sabah reports late Friday that the Rafale fighter jets will be sold to Greece by Dassault Aviation and the delivery will begin from the summer of 2024, bringing the Hellenic Air Force's fleet to 24 Rafales.

The French warplane maker said in a statement that the orders were signed aboard the retired Greek battleship Averof by the defense ministers of the two countries.

In a statement, Greek Defense Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos said; "With this acquisition of frigates and fighter jets the firepower of Greece's navy and air force will be strengthened."

It was claimed that last September, Greece agreed to buy 3 frigates with an option for a 4th one for about 3 billion euros ($3.30 billion).

Greece and Turkey remain at odds over maritime boundaries and mineral exploitation rights in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.

And also, a Turkish oil and gas survey in 2020 resulted in a tense naval standoff between the two countries.