Hellenic Air Force (HAF) received six Rafale jets from Dassault Aviation site in Istres , just after one year of the contract !

On 25th January 2021 , Greek MoD -General Director of Armament & Investments , Theodoros Lagios & Eric Trappier, Chairman & CEO of Dassault Aviation, signed a contract for 18 Rafale jets to enhance the combat capability of Hellenic Air Force (HAF) .

As per the contract, the order for 18 Rafale included 12 Rafale jets in service with the 'French Air Force' and 6 new Rafale produced at Dassault Aviation plants.

Today, six Rafale of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF), operated by its pilots, took off from the Dassault Aviation site in Istres to the Tanagra Air Base, where they were welcomed in a ceremony by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accompanied by the Minister of National Defense Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and Senior Greek authorities. Éric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, was also present to welcome their arrival.

The entry into operational service in the Hellenic Air Force's 332 Squadron of these first six Rafale aircraft comes as a proof of the quality of the partnership between France and Greece, and occurs only one year after the signature of the contract for 18 aircraft.

It is a testimony to the excellent relation between French and Greek authorities as well as between the Hellenic Air Force and Dassault Aviation teams.

The expertise of the training provided, in particular by Dassault Aviation, at the Mérignac Conversion Training Center (CTC), to Greek pilots, mechanics and HAF technicians, undeniably contributes to the success of this first ferry. The training of personnel will continue in the coming months in France and Greece.

The delivery of the next HAF Rafale will start at the end of 2022 with the objective to have all the fleet deployed at Tanagra Air Base by the summer of 2023.

"The mastery with which the Hellenic Air Force carried out this first ferry flight is a testimony to the excellence of our cooperation and the strength of our historical relationship with Greece for more than 45 years.

Thanks to our mobilization, we were able to meet the expectations of the Greek authorities in record time, who now have the Rafale on national territory to reinforce the protection and sovereignty of the country. It also attests to the outstanding quality of our aircraft, confirmed by its export success.

Lastly, it reflects our total commitment to meeting the needs of the HAF and to participating in Greece's strategic ambitions," declared Éric Trappier at the end of the ceremony.

Interesting to note , On 3rd December 21 ,  United Arab Emirates (UAE) had agreed to buy 80 French-made Rafale fighter jets, the biggest international order ever made for the fighterjets , that was revealed during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
 

ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION:

With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,500 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2020, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of €5.5 billion. The company has 12,440 employees.