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Greece Signs Deal to Buy 20 F-35 Fighter Jets From US
Above: A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II at Ramstein Air Base on June 06, 2024 in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany. Image copyright: Thomas Lohnes/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Greece has formally sanctioned a deal — approved by the US State Department in January — to purchase 20 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from the US at some $3.5B. Delivery is expected to begin in 2028.
Four of the 20 F-35s will remain in the US for training purposes until 2030, while the deliveries will be completed by 2033. The country has the option of purchasing 20 additional F-35s, and reportedly plans on doing so after 2030.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The F-35 has been the preeminent aircraft for all NATO countries and other major allies of the US, and its proliferation is a testament to America's engineering prowess and diplomatic efforts. The F-35 is the most technologically advanced and combat-ready jet the world has to offer, and serves as an effective deterrent against the enemies of the free world. In a way, everyone in a NATO country is safer thanks to Greece's purchase.
Establishment-critical narrative
The US war machine continues to chug along in spite of the F-35's serious technical deficiencies. The F-35 has several flaws that can hamper mission performance and even cause serious pain to pilots. Worse, these have been kept hidden from scrutiny as Lockheed Martin continues collecting billion-dollar checks for shoddy workmanship. Claims of the F-35's prowess are greatly exaggerated.
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