© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Presentation of the flight of the French Air and Space Army at BA 105 Evreux-Fauville Air Force Base
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek lawmakers on Thursday approved the purchase of 18 Rafale jets made by Dassault in France for 2.5 billion euros (3.04 billion dollars), in an agreement to be signed by the defense ministers of Greece and France at the end of this month. Athens has agreed to acquire advanced fighter jets as it moves forward with plans to bolster its military capabilities during a dispute with neighboring Turkey over energy resources in the Mediterranean. France and Greece are expected to sign the deal for six new and 12 used Rafale jets in Athens this month, with the first deliveries expected during the first half of the year, the government said. The conservative government of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said it wants to invest in the military, increase staff, acquire new frigates, helicopters and drones, and upgrade its existing fleet of F-16 fighters. Parliament is also expected to vote next week on a bill that extends Greece’s western territorial waters in the Ionian Sea from six to 12 nautical miles, Mitsotakis told local television ANT1. While that vote does not directly affect the eastern and southern Aegean, where Greece and Turkey have competing claims, Athens has said it reserves the right under international law to a 12-mile maritime limit throughout its territory. Turkey has said it would consider claiming such a claim in the Aegean as a “casus belli” or reason for war. In a possible sign of a willingness to pursue a more conciliatory approach, officials from both countries will meet on January 25 to talk. ($ 1 = 0.8223 euros)
