Paris: Amid the mounting tensions between Greece and Turkey over energy exploration rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, France has reached an agreement with the latter for 18 Rafale fighter jets, a media report said.
Out of 18 Rafales, 10 will be sold and the remaining 8, used jets from French Air Force inventory, will be gifts to Athens.
The contract between the French and Greek governments is at a very advanced level and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, the report added.
Previously, Greece's Prime Minister warmly thanked France for boosting its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are closely shadowing each other over a Turkish energy exploration bid in waters, Athens claims as its own.
Meanwhile, Turkey accused Greece and the island nation of Cyprus of encroaching on its rights in the Mediterranean and vowed to defend its interests in the region — but also called for dialogue to resolve the dispute.
Read | 5 Rafale jets land in Ambala, receive grand welcome
Greece’s relations with Turkey have worsened whereas the latter is using its greater military muscle to force the former to back off. At this time, the Rafale jets would be fully armed versions ready for immediate deployment.
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed. It is built by Dassault Aviation and equipped with a wide range of weapons. It is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike, and nuclear deterrence missions.
After India received the first batch of five Rafales amid clashes with China over LAC, the French-origin jets have taken all over the media.
Nearly four years ago, India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to purchase 36 Rafale jets under a Rs 59,000-crore deal to boost the IAF's combat capabilities. Of the 36 jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers. The trainer jets will be twin-seater and they will have almost all the features of the fighter jets.
