Defence

Greece Offers Older F-16s and Mirage 2000s for Sale

Greece Is Putting Its Older F-16s And Mirage 2000s Up For Sale

Photo:Wikipedia

Greece’s military is undergoing a significant transformation as it looks to modernize its air force and streamline its fleet of fighter jets.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has announced plans to upgrade the country’s American-made F-16 fighter jets while also expressing interest in acquiring more advanced F-35s. As part of this overhaul, Greece intends to sell off some of its older F-16s and French Mirage 2000 fighter jets.

Dendias highlighted the necessity of modernizing the military, citing the financial burden of operating multiple types of aircraft in various configurations. The current fleet includes F-4s, Mirage 2000-5s, Block 30 F-16s, Block 50 F-16s, Block 52 F-16s, Viper F-16s, and Rafales. The Defense Minister emphasized the need for a more homogenous fleet to improve interoperability and reduce maintenance demands.

The sale of older F-16s and Mirage 2000s will make room for the introduction of new fighter equipment, including upgraded F-16 Vipers and incoming Rafales. Additionally, plans are in place to acquire F-35A stealth fighters in the future.

Furthermore, Greece’s defense developments have attracted interest from abroad, notably from the United States. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed keenness in exploring potential defense cooperation with Greece, including opportunities for asset transfers or sales to Ukraine. However, despite Ukraine’s expressed interest, Greek combat aircraft have not been included in discussions for potential transfers.

As Greece looks ahead to a leaner, more technologically advanced air force, the sale of older F-16s and Mirage 2000s underscores its commitment to modernization and strategic alignment with evolving defense needs.

Defence

India Offers $200 Million LOC to Nigeria for Tejas Jets

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India and Nigeria have taken a major leap forward in their strategic partnership with a series of agreements signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile visit to Nigeria on November 12. As reported by IDRW.

These agreements span critical areas, including defence, economic development, and food security, signaling a shared commitment to deepening bilateral ties.

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Among the standout developments, India has proposed the sale of its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), showcasing its growing role in global defense markets.

Advancing Defence Cooperation

A significant highlight of the agreements is India extending a $200 million Line of Credit (LOC) to Nigeria. This financial support is specifically designed to facilitate the procurement of the LCA-Tejas Mk1A from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

As Nigeria looks to modernize its air combat capabilities, the tejas Mk1A offers an advanced, cost-effective solution to replace the country’s ageing Chengdu F-7NI fighter jets, which are increasingly considered outdated against modern threats.

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The LCA-Tejas Mk1A is a state-of-the-art, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft. Its advanced avionics, lightweight design, and powerful weaponry position it as a formidable choice for nations seeking affordable yet capable air defense solutions.

Strengthening Economic Ties

India’s interest in supplying the hal tejas is part of a broader strategy to challenge the dominance of Russia and China in Africa’s defense sector. India and Nigeria share a robust economic relationship, with India emerging as Nigeria’s largest trading partner in 2021-22.

The potential sale of 15 tejas mark 1a fighter jets aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to enhance its defense readiness and modernize its military.

This recent development follows India’s active push to establish itself as a key defense supplier to Nigeria. In March 2024, a defense industry delegation visited Abuja to explore potential exports, including the LCA tejas fighter jet.

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Nigeria has previously evaluated other Indian-made platforms such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand,’ the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) ‘Dhruv.’

India’s expanding defense engagement with Nigeria reflects its ambition to strengthen ties with Africa’s largest economy. With Nigeria looking to upgrade its military infrastructure, India’s competitive and reliable defense solutions offer a win-win partnership.