Green light from the competent parliamentary committee for the upgrade of F-16s and the “Achilles’ Shield”

Today, the Special Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Armaments Programs and Contracts approved by majority the “Achilles’ Shield” program, along with other systems aimed at strengthening the country’s deterrence capability, with a total value of around €4 billion.

As reported by THEMA on Sunday, the plan concerns a five-layer defense dome that is expected to provide protection across five different levels and threat domains, covering threats from missiles, aircraft, and drones, as well as surface vessels and underwater threats. Following the committee’s positive recommendation, the final approval is expected from KYSEA, which will convene next week.

The same armaments package submitted for approval also includes:

• The upgrade of 38 F-16 Block 50 fighter jets to the Viper configuration
• Contracts for the modernization of the Hellenic Navy’s MEKO frigates
• A series of Follow-on Support contracts for the continued maintenance and support of existing systems

Special attention in the package is also given to the next generation of fighter aircraft, as infrastructure is planned for the operational integration of F-35 aircraft at Andravida Air Base. According to information from Protothema.gr, the Ministry of Defense’s next goal is to receive the first two F-35 fighter jets by December 2028, marking the transition to the next generation of combat aircraft.

Although he is currently in London on a bilateral visit, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, stated that:

“What matters is that these programs show how early we had understood the new reality. We had already taken action.”

Positions of political parties

According to the same sources:

• New Democracy (ND) voted in favor of all programs.
• PASOK and SYRIZA voted “present” on the Achilles Shield, against the missiles, and in favor of the remaining programs.
• Greek Solution voted “present” on the Shield, against the F-35 and C-27, and in favor of the rest.
• NIKI voted “present” on the Shield and the F-35, while supporting the rest of the programs.
• KKE and Course of Freedom voted against the entire package of programs.
• New Left was absent from the session.