The Hellenic Air Force is close to sending a letter of request (LOR) to the United States for the upgrade of 38 F-16C/D Block 50 fighters to the Viper variant.
As reported by Ekathimerini media, it is only a few days before the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) General Staff sends the LOR, formally starting the order for the purchase of the Viper modernization package, and its implementation.
The modernization of the 38 F-16s will take place at Nea Anchialos Air Base. Hellenic Aerospace Industries (EAB) and Lockheed Martin have already modernized two F-16s to Viper level and are expected to be delivered in the coming months. They will be used to train and familiarize Greek pilots with the new equipment installed on these aircraft.
As for the older F-16 Block 30, although they will not be upgraded to this standard, an effort will be made to keep them in active service, in particular for air policing missions over the Aegean Sea and for training.
The Viper
Viper is what Lockheed Martin calls the new F-16 Block 70s, and the earlier block aircraft that are modernized to this latest standard.
The F-16Vs will be equipped with a powerful AESA-type radar, new self-defense systems, an advanced tactical data link, engine and a new cockpit data display system.
In the version offered to Greece, in order to reduce costs, systems and armament already integrated in the current configuration of the Hellenic F-16, such as the Lantirn pods, GBU-50 guided bombs and the IRIS-T air-to-air missile, will be reused.
See also: Greece formally requested to purchase up to 40 F-35 Lightning IIs
The F-16V fleet upgrade represents one of the pillars of the HAF’s efforts to increase its combat capability, along with the addition of the Dassault Rafale and the future addition of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightining II.
