Rafale fighter jets approach the Tanagra airbase in Tanagra, Greece, on Jan. 19, 2022. The first six of a total of 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets Greece has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation arrived in the country on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
ATHENS, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The first six of a total of 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets Greece has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation arrived in the country on Wednesday.
The remaining jets will be delivered later this year and in 2023.
Greece decided to purchase the jets 16 months ago as part of a five-year plan to strengthen the Greek Armed Forces' deterrence capabilities.
The deal with Dassault Aviation was hailed by Athens and Paris as a milestone in Greek-French cooperation, which is expected to help Europe to build its own strategic autonomy. ■
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gets on a Rafale fighter jet at the Tanagra airbase in Tanagra, Greece, on Jan. 19, 2022. The first six of a total of 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets Greece has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation arrived in the country on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
A pilot gets off a Rafale fighter jet at the Tanagra airbase in Tanagra, Greece, on Jan. 19, 2022. The first six of a total of 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets Greece has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation arrived in the country on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R, Front) shakes hands with a pilot at the Tanagra airbase in Tanagra, Greece, on Jan. 19, 2022. The first six of a total of 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets Greece has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation arrived in the country on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
A Rafale fighter jet lands at the Tanagra airbase in Tanagra, Greece, on Jan. 19, 2022. The first six of a total of 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets Greece has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation arrived in the country on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
A Rafale fighter jet passes through water cannons at the Tanagra airbase in Tanagra, Greece, on Jan. 19, 2022. The first six of a total of 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets Greece has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation arrived in the country on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Front) speaks at the Tanagra airbase in Tanagra, Greece, on Jan. 19, 2022. The first six of a total of 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets Greece has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation arrived in the country on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
A pilot gets off a Rafale fighter jet at the Tanagra airbase in Tanagra, Greece, on Jan. 19, 2022. The first six of a total of 24 French-made Rafale fighter jets Greece has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation arrived in the country on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
