DM: Greece Eyes Purchase of New Military Transport Planes

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias on Wednesday essentially announced another round of aircraft acquisitions for the Hellenic Air Force, namely, transport planes, as well as putting a number to the maximum combat fighter fleet the country aims to field.

Speaking at an event held by the air force general staff at the Elefsina air base (the 112th combat wing), due west of the greater Athens area, Dendias said the transport planes’ purchase will come amid a 30-year armaments program for all of Greece’s armed forces.

The most recent “entry” into the contest for a new transport plane, at least according to local media reports, is the Brazilian-made C-390 Millennium.

“We are now living in a new reality in which Greece has a fleet of transport aircraft that can support operations and save human lives and property,” he said, while adding that “ceiling” of 200 combat aircraft of multiple capabilities adding that the goal is a “ceiling” of 200 advanced fighter aircraft with multiple capabilities is now the operational goal.

Dendias and top air force “brass” also observed an “elephant walk” maneuver at the air base involving the synchronized taxying and take-off of five C-130 transport planes and an equal number of C-27Js. Another two Hellenic Air Force “Hercules” C-130s and C-27Js are undergoing maintenance, meaning the total number of military transport planes in the Greek arsenal is current 14.

Source: tovima.com