Hellenic Air Force receives its first two F-16V «Viper» jets

Yesterday took place the official reception ceremony of the first two Hellenic Air Force (HAF) F-16V fighters, upgraded to Viper level.

As reported by the HAF, the ceremony took place at the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB) facility in Tanagra, and was attended by the Greek Minister of Defense, Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos. The ceremony was also attended by important personalities from the Government and the Armed Forces, as well as Lockheed Martin representatives.

Παρουσία ΥΕΘΑ @npanagioto στην τελετή παραδόσεως δύο εκσυγχρονισμένων μαχητικών αεροσκαφών F-16 Viper στις εγκαταστάσεις της ΕΑΒ@nhardalias @ChiefHNDGS https://t.co/IY8iLQf2hG pic.twitter.com/GzGcxQCm53

— Υπουργείο Εθνικής Άμυνας (@Hellenic_MOD) September 12, 2022

Greece is a major user of the F-16, having received in 1989 the first 40 F-16 Block 30 aircraft, followed in 1997 by the delivery of 40 Block 50 aircraft, in 2003 another 60 Block 52+ aircraft were received, and the latest delivery was in 2009 with 30 F-16 Block 52+ Advanced.

In 2020, the modernization program for 83 F-16 Block 52+ and 52+ Advanced aircraft was launched in the «Viper» version, the most advanced iteration of this legendary aircraft. The F-16Vs will be equipped with a powerful APG-83 AESA-type radar, new self-defense systems, an advanced tactical data link, engine and cockpit data display enhancements.

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 will be reused, such as the Lantirn pods, the GBU-50 guided bomb and the IRIS-T air-to-air missile.

The modernization work was carried out locally by the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB), under the supervision of the manufacturer, the American Lockheed Martin.

After bringing the 83 Block 52+ and 52+ Advanced aircraft into the Viper version, this modernization will also be applied to 38 Block 50 F-16s, for which the Greek authorities sent a letter of request (LOR) to the United States in August.

See also: Greece formally requested to purchase up to 40 F-35 Lightning IIs

The upgrade of F-16s to Viper standard, along with the purchase of 24 French Dassault Rafale and the formal request to acquire some 40 Lockheed Martin F-35s (20 firm plus 20 options) form the hard core of the HAF’s fighter capability modernization efforts.