The U.S. Department of Defense has approved a $17.2 million contract with Lockheed Martin to provide engineering and technical support for Greece’s integration into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, the Pentagon said on Monday.
The deal includes program management, training, and support for unique integration requirements under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The work is scheduled for completion by May 2028 and will be carried out across multiple sites in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Greece, a NATO member, is upgrading its armed forces in response to regional security concerns and long-standing tensions with neighboring Turkey. The Hellenic Air Force plans to acquire 20 F-35 fighter jets in an initial phase valued at €3.47 billion, with an option for 20 more as part of an estimated $8.6 billion deal.
Athens has stepped up efforts to modernize its air capabilities following Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program. In addition to the U.S.-built aircraft, Greece has procured French-made Rafale fighter jets.
Greece is expected to begin training its first F-35 pilots in the United States in September. Fourteen pilots and 60 technicians are scheduled to depart this summer.
