Greece buys 6 more Rafale jets, frigates amid tensions with Turkey

Greece has signed deals to buy six additional Rafale fighter jets and three Belharra navy frigates from France as tensions continue to flare up with Turkey

Greece has signed deals to buy six additional Rafale fighter jets and three Belharra navy frigates from France as tensions continue to flare up with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean on Thursday.

Qazet.az reports 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.

The orders were signed aboard the retired Greek battleship Averof by the defense ministers of the two countries.

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

Last September Athens agreed to buy three frigates with an option for a fourth one for about 3 billion euros ($3.30 billion).

The accord, part of a broader strategic military and defense cooperation pact, came after an agreement to order 24 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets.

Greek lawmakers in October ratified the defense agreement between Greece and France that will allow the two countries to come to each other's aid in the event of an external threat.