Greece officially requests to buy F-35 fighter jets from the US: Report

Greece has submitted an official request to buy F-35 fighter jets from the US, according to Greek media outlet Protothema.

Athens has been involved in rising tensions in the eastern Mediterranean this year, asits traditional rival Turkey asserts its maritime rights over vast swaths of contested waters in the region.

Last week, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel agreed to step up military cooperation in the region in a move seen as aimed at countering Turkey.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app

A view of Turkey's research vessel, Oruc Reis anchored off the coast of Antalya on the Mediterranean, Turkey, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week that Oruc Reis was withdrawn from a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean that has been at the heart of a summer stand-off between Turkey and Greece over energy rights. (AP)

According to Protothema, the Greek government reportedly requested between 18 and 24 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from Washington in a letter on November 6.

“The decision to enter (Greece) in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program will be based on a variety of factors such as the fighter delivery program, the repayment plan, the configuration of the aircraft and a possible combination to obtain a total of 18- 24 jets (new or used by the US Air Force, if available),” read the Letter of Expression of Interest of the Greek Ministry of National Defense, as quoted in Protothema.

.Greece had previously agreed to buy 18 twin-engine Rafale fighter jets from France.

Read more:

Turkey's Erdogan visits North Cyprus, calls for two-state solution for island

Cyprus, Israel, Greece agree to boost military cooperation, keep army forces prepared

EU condemns Turkey's gas-exploration mission in waters disputed by Greece and Cyprus