The agreement for the F35 is part of a wider framework of cooperation between Greece and the US in security matters. The goal is to promote common interests and international peace and security, as stated by the American Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, who in his letter to the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
In his letter, Blinken lists the six points of defense cooperation between the two countries.
Among them, it presents the free concessions to Greece with the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, which are already notified to Congress:
- Two C-130H aircraft, Surplus Defense Materiel,
- Ten engines for P-3 aircraft, Surplus Defense Materiel and
- 60 Bradley armored fighting vehicles, as Surplus Defense Materiel
Accordingly, he notes that Congress will be informed of the following to be transferred to Greece:
- Up to 40 new F-35 aircraft through Foreign Military Sales,
- Three Protector class ships as EDA- and
- Various trucks and trailers as EDA.
Mr. Blinken emphasizes that “Greece has taken remarkable steps to modernize its defense capabilities. I look forward to increasing our cooperation and developing a stronger strategic relationship between our armed forces.”
The Blinken letter
“Dear Prime Minister,
The provision of defense equipment to our NATO allies is a fundamental component of our efforts to boost European security and strengthen the Alliance’s collective deterrence and defense capabilities. To this end, we have sought to work closely with Greece to advance our common interests and international peace and security, which are vital to the continuation of the rules-based international order. This strong bilateral relationship is a testament to the strong ties between our nations, and I am encouraged by the progress we have made together under the US-Greece Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement to maintain strong, capable, and interoperable militaries.
Subject to the satisfaction of all relevant legal requirements, including notification to Congress, we intend to expand our corporate security cooperation as follows:
Firstly, on September 27, 2022, the notification process to Congress was completed regarding a $30 million grant to Greece for defense procurement, through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) process, to encourage critical support to Ukraine. On October 24, 2023, the United States earmarked for Greece an additional $30 million through the FMF process to encourage further donations.
Secondlywe have already notified Congress of the following proposed free concessions in Greecewith the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program:
- Two C-130H aircraft, Surplus Defense Materiel,
- Ten engines for P-3 aircraft, Surplus Defense Materiel and
- 60 Bradley armored fighting vehicles, as Surplus Defense Materiel.
Thirdlywe will submit for notification to Congress the following, to be granted to Greece:
- Up to 40 new F-35 aircraft through Foreign Military Sales,
- Three Protector-class ships, as Surplus Defense Materiel and
- Various trucks and trailers, as Surplus Defense Material.
Fourthwe will submit to Congress a legislative proposal on the concession of ships, requesting that it provide the necessary legal authorization to transfer to Greece up to four LCS-type frigates, through the Surplus Defense Materiel process.
Fifth, we continue to be interested in the defense capabilities that Greece could transfer or sell to Ukraine. If these capabilities are of interest to Ukraine, and pending an assessment of their status and value by the US government, we can explore opportunities for possible additional Foreign Armed Forces Financing of up to $200 million for Greece.
Sixth, I will prioritize Greece to receive surplus Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected vehicles as they become available over the next year and I will consider Greek needs should KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft become available. In addition to the C-130H, the Ministry of Defense is working to provide pricing and availability data for Greece’s purchase of new C-130Js.
Greece has made remarkable strides in modernizing its defense capabilities. I look forward to strengthening our cooperation and developing a stronger strategic relationship between our armed forces.
Yours sincerely,
Antony Blinken».
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