Hellenic Air Force

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Hellenic Air Force
  • Πολεμική Αεροπορία
  • Polemikí Aeroporía
Hellenic Air Force badge
Founded1912; 113 years ago (1912)[1][2]
Country Greece
BranchAir force
RoleAerial warfare
SizeApprox. 42,500 personnel
635 aircraft
8 types of air defence systems
Part ofHellenic Armed Forces
Nickname(s)HAF
PatronArchangels Michael and Gabriel
Motto(s)
  • Greek: Αἰὲν Ὑψικρατεῖν
  • 'Always Dominate the Heights'
Colours      
Anniversaries8 November
Engagements
Websitewww.haf.gr
ERJ-135, Gulfstream V
Hellenic Air Force
Organization
Aircraft
History
History
Timeline
Personnel
List of senior officers
Officer rank insignia

The Hellenic Air Force (HAF;

endonym for Greek in the Greek language). It is considered to be one of the largest air forces in NATO, and is globally placed 18th out of 139 countries.[3][4] Under the Kingdom of Greece
from 1935 to 1973, it was previously known as the Royal Hellenic Air Force (RHAF) (Ἑλληνικὴ Βασιλικὴ Ἀεροπορία, Ellinikí Vasilikí Aeroporía).

The Hellenic Air Force is one of the three branches of the

Hellenic Armed Forces, and its mission is to guard and protect Greek airspace, provide air assistance and support to the Hellenic Army and the Hellenic Navy, and to provide humanitarian aid in Greece and around the world. The Hellenic Air Force includes approximately 33,000 active troops, of whom 11,750 are career officers, 14,000 are professional soldiers (ΕΠ.ΟΠ.), 7,250 are volunteer conscripts, and 1,100 are women. The motto of the Hellenic Air Force is the ancient Greek phrase Αἰὲν Ὑψικρατεῖν (Aièn Hypsikrateîn, 'Always Dominate the Heights'), and the HAF emblem represents a flying eagle in front of the Hellenic Air Force roundel
. The General Air Staff (GEA) is based at the Papagou Camp in the Municipality of Filothei - Psychiko of the Prefecture of Attica.

History

Main article: History of the Hellenic Air Force

Origins

In 1911, the

Greek Army fielded its first squadron, the 'Aviators Company' (Greek
: Λόχος Αεροπόρων).

Balkan Wars and aftermath (1912–1930)

Mudros armistice
.

On 5 October 1912, Kamberos flew the first combat mission, a

Balkan wars. On the same day a similar mission was flown by German mercenaries in Ottoman service, over the Thrace front against the Bulgarian
Army. The Greek and the Ottoman missions, coincidentally flown on the same day, were the first military aviation missions in the history of conventional war. As a matter of fact, all Balkan countries used military aircraft and foreign mercenaries during the Balkan Wars.

24 January 1913, saw the first naval co-operation mission in history, which took place over the Dardanelles. Aided by the Royal Hellenic Navy, destroyer RHNS Velos, 1st Lieutenant Michael Moutoussis and Ensign Aristeidis Moraitinis flew the Farman hydroplane and drew up a diagram of the positions of the Turkish fleet, against which they dropped four bombs. This was not the first air-to-ground attack in military history, as there was a precedent in the Turkish-Italian war of 1911, but the first recorded attack against ships from the air.

Initially, the

Asia Minor Campaign, equipped by the Allies
with a variety of French and British designs.

Foundation, World War II and Civil War (1930–1950)

Greek pilots of the 335th Fighter Squadron in Egypt, 1942.

In 1930, the Aviation Ministry was founded, establishing the Air Force as the third branch of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The Hellenic Army Air Service and Hellenic Naval Air Service were merged into a single service, the Royal Hellenic Air Force. In 1931, the Hellenic Air Force Academy, the Icarus School (Greek: Σχολή Ικάρων), was founded.

At the end of 1936, Greece ordered 36 Polish PZL P.24 fighter aircraft, which entered service with the 21st, 22nd and 23rd Pursuit Squadrons and after completion of deliveries in 1938, formed the core of the RHAF fighter force. The planes were well armed; 12 planes of the P.24F version had 2 machine guns and 2 20mm autocannons, the remaining 24 planes of the P.24G version had 4 machine guns.

In 1939, an order for 24 Marcel Bloch MB.151 fighter aircraft was placed, but only nine of the aircraft reached Greece, since the outbreak of World War II prevented the French from completing the order. The aircraft entered service in the 24th Pursuit Squadron (MD – Moira Dioxis) of the air force.

During the

CANT Z.1007bis bomber, smashing the rudder and sending the aircraft out of control.[7]

After 65 days of war, the RHAF had lost 31 officers, seven wounded, plus four

combat aircraft had dropped to 28 fighters and 7 battle-worthy bombers.[8] By March 1941, the Italian invasion on air and ground had been successfully pushed back, aided by the vital contribution of the RHAF to the Greek victory. During the Greco-Italian War the Royal Hellenic Air Force shot down 68 enemy aircraft (official records) and claimed another 24. The British RAF claimed 150 additional air victories against Italian aircraft. However, the Italian Air Force recorded only 65 aircraft lost, during the entire campaign against the Greeks and later the British, with 495 additional aircraft reported as damaged.[9]

In April 1941, the German Wehrmacht invaded Greece in order to assist the Italian assault. During this second wave of foreign invasion, the Luftwaffe eventually succeeded in destroying most of the Royal Hellenic Air Force. However, some aircraft managed to escape to the Middle East,[7] including five Avro Anson, one Dornier Do 22, one Arado 196, and three Avro 626.

During the German occupation of Greece, the Air Force was rebuilt under the expatriated Greek Air Force Ministry based in

Spitfire V types. The RHAF squadrons in the Middle East flew a variety of missions, including convoy patrols, anti-submarine search, offensive patrols, reconnaissance, attack and interception of enemy aircraft. In Summer 1943, the Greek squadrons participated in the attack against the German Wehrmacht on the island of Crete, and then from May to November 1944 in Italy. During those years, seventy Greek pilots were lost.[10]

During

USAAF and acquired US citizenship and continued to fly with the same squadron, now part of the USAF 4th FG
. He had achieved ten victories with the USAAF by 1944.

After Greece's liberation in 1944, RHAF returned to Greece and subsequently played a decisive role in the Greek Civil War, which lasted until 1950. By then, it was re-equipped with Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX, Spitfire Mk.XVI fighters, and Curtiss SB2C Helldiver bombers.

Post-war developments (1950–1970)

Hellenic Air Force RF-84F Thunderflash in 1988.

After the end of the Greek Civil War in November 1950, Greece sent seven

Battle of Chosin and operated in Korea until May 1955. Greek pilots flew thousands of missions including air evacuations, personnel transport, intelligence gathering, and supply flights. In 1952 Greece joined NATO
, and the Air Force was rebuilt and organised according to NATO standards. New aircraft, including jets, were introduced.

The first

jet fighter flown by the RHAF was the Republic F-84G Thunderjet in 1955. It was also flown by the first Air Force aerobatic team 337 SQ 'Hellenic Flame' (Greek: Ελληνική Φλόγα). The RF-84F entered service with the 348 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in 1956. Although the F-84G was replaced by the Canadair Sabre 2 in 1954 and 1955 after one-hundred units were retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force and upgraded in the United Kingdom before entering service with the RHAF, the RF-84F remained in service until 1991. The Lockheed T-33
was also delivered as a trainer in 1955. Some RT-33s were used for reconnaissance missions.

In the late 1960s, the RHAF acquired new jet aircraft. These included the

Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter
. The F-104 and F-5 stayed in service until the mid- to late 1980s.

In the mid-1970s, the Hellenic Air Force was further modernised with deliveries of the

McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs
.

In 1993, the United States Air Force delivered sixty-two additional A-7Es and TA-7Cs increasing further the air-to-ground capabilities of the HAF. These aircraft remained in service until 2011.[11]

Modernisation (1980–1997)

Mirage 2000
taking off.

Until the late 1980s, the Air Force deployed missiles armed with U.S. nuclear warheads using the

Greco-Turkish tension caused by the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus
, the U.S. removed its nuclear weapons from Greek and Turkish alert units to storage. Greece saw this as another pro-Turkish move by NATO and withdrew its forces from NATO's military command structure from 1974 to 1980.

In March 1985, the Greek government announced the purchase of thirty-four F-16C and six F-16D

Mirage 2000
BG, as part of the 'Talos' modernisation programme.

Subsequently, in 1989, the first fourth-generation fighter jets were introduced, marking the beginning of a new era: the first Mirage 2000 EG/BG aircraft were delivered to the 114 Combat Wing in Tanagra air force base, and equipped the 331 and 332 squadrons. In January 1989, the first F-16C/D Block 30 arrived in 111 Combat Wing in Nea Anchialos air force base, and were allocated to the 330 'Thunder' and 346 'Jason' interceptor squadrons in Larissa air force base.[12][13]

On 29 March 1991, the

RF-4Es were delivered to the 348 'Eyes' Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
.

In 1993, the 'Peace Xenia II' modernisation programme began. Greece ordered thirty-two F-16C and eight F-16D,

Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
(SEAD). The role of 347 'Perseus' squadron is air-to-ground missions.

Entering the 21st century (1998–2007)

A Hellenic Air Force C-27J Spartan in Luxembourg.
MALE UAV of the Hellenic Air Force, landing in Chios
airport after new sensors testing.

In 1998, Greece decided, in collaboration with the

laser-guided
bombs, making the aircraft an excellent and modern platform for precision strikes.

In 2000, Greece decided to purchase a large number of fighters to replace the remaining non-upgraded F-4E Phantoms, a number of A-7 Corsairs, and the fleet of Mirage F1CGs. An order for sixty F-16 Block 52 Plus was placed.[15] The order was for fifty single-seaters of the C version and ten two-seaters of the D version.

Until 2001, Greece participated in NATO's

nuclear weapons sharing, using the A-7 Corsair II to deploy tactical B61 nuclear warheads from Araxos
Air Force Base. Greece then strategically decided to remove all nuclear weapons under storage in Greece, and did not purchase any more aircraft with nuclear mounting capabilities.

In September 2004, Greece also decided to upgrade all of its existing Mirage 2000 to the

aerial refuelling
capability.

Eventually in 2005, HAF was officially the first air force in the world

Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), and is capable of carrying more advanced weapons, including the IRIS-T air-to-air missile. Three squadrons are operating with this type of F-16. These squadrons are the 337 'Ghost' in Larissa air base, the 340 'Fox', and the 343 'Star' in Souda air base.[17]

In 2007, the Greek government ordered an additional thirty F-16 fighters; twenty single-seaters and ten two-seaters. However this time, the aircraft variant was the

335 'Tiger' squadron at Araxos air base.[19][20]

Later years and Greek economic crisis (2007–2018)

Due to the retirement & obsolescence of units that had concluded their operational cycle (

MiG-35, and the Sukhoi Su-35.[21]

During the

C-27J, T-6A/C, and other aircraft with systems / sub-systems of U.S. origin. The estimated cost of this order was $160 million. In addition, some long-awaited programmes were rescheduled for the future. The HAF modernisation programme estimated in 2007 that a purchase of forty-five advance training aircraft, fifteen search and rescue
(SAR) helicopters, and forty-to-sixty new fighters was necessary. Some of these programmes were either postponed or, eventually, cancelled.

Post economic crisis (2018–present)

The Hellenic Air Force currently possesses several fighter types and is in the process of obtaining new ones. There is the F-4, F-16 in several variants,

Mirage 2000, and Rafales. As well, the F-35 will be obtained soon, although it is very expensive. In March 2024, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias
announced that the F-4s will be retired soon and the older F-16s & Mirage 2000s will be sold off, streamlining the HAF.

This streamlining can be of benefit to other countries, such as India, which may buy the older Mirage jets. As well, the older F-16s may be sold to Ukraine, which is in desperate need of new aircraft.[22]

In November 2024, the Hellenic Air Force announced that obsolete Russian air-defence systems, such as the S-300,

Osa-AK would be phased out. These will be sent to Armenia
, which can maintain them, as well as Ukraine, which wants Western systems.

This will de-Russify the Greek arsenal and help Armenia, and these systems will likely be replaced by Israeli air-defence systems.[23]

Developing programmes

SAAB GlobalEye

The airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) in the current fleet is the Embraer E-99 fitted with the SAAB Erieye radar. This was introduced over twenty five-years ago, and it is ageing. SAAB has offered the "Erieye ER" upgraded radar, or the buying of the new GlobalEye as a replacement for these old aircraft. This is still unconfirmed.[24]

F-16 Block70/72 Viper

During the latter part of the Greek Economic Crisis, HAF after years of austerity decided to modernize the aging fighter fleet. It dedicated resources for the upgrade of the fleet of its existing Mirage 2000 and F-16 fighters. In 2018,

F-35 Lightning II. This upgrade was also considered by HAF as an essential first step for future compatibility with the F-35 fighter. Though HAF originally planned to upgrade all of its 123 Block 50/52+/52+ Advanced fighters[26] and leave the Block 30 to receive parts of the upgraded ones, due to lack of funds, HAF decided to proceed with only Block 52+/52+ Advanced. After that, the Hellenic Air Force General Staff seemed to have decided to upgrade Block 50s to Block 50Ms (for Modernized), using equipment from the upgraded, without any final conclusion as of September 2024.[27][28] The upgrade programme is scheduled to be completed by 2027, and carried out exclusively in Greece by Hellenic Aerospace (HAI). As of January 2025, 30 aircraft have been upgraded.[29][30][31][32][33]

In addition, Block 30s were decided not to receive any kind of modernization. Various proposals were made about selling them in Croatia, Lockheed Martin, USAF/USN or UAE.[34][35][36][37] As of September 2024, there was no change in their status, remaining active, although Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has stated that Greek government is interested in selling them.[38]

Latest decisions on the 38 Block 50s point out that they are going to be upgraded to Viper standard, giving a total of 121 Vipers instead of the in-base modernization that was planned from spare equipment of Block52+/52+ Advanced. The Greek government has already sent a letter of request, awaiting answer even in September, 2024, for cost and availability. One major point of the agreement is where the upgrade will take place. HAF has request proposals for both, in-base upgrade in 111 Combat Wing in Nea Anchialos air force base, as well as in Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) in Tanagra, among the other aircraft. Officials claim that upgrades in 111 Combat Wing will be less costly, plus there will be two production lines, making Block 50 to Block 70 Vipers conversions faster.[39][40][41]

F-35 Lightning II

In April 2019, as part of the selection process for the new HAF

US Pentagon confirmed Greece as one of five countries to be considered as potential new customers.[44]

In January 2020, Greece formally expressed interest in acquiring and participating in the F-35 programme, following a visit by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the White House. A figure of twenty aircraft was initially floated, to be acquired following successful completion of the upgrading of the Greek F-16 fleet in 2027.[45][46]

However, reports in September and October 2020, claimed that Greece could receive at least six F-35 jets much earlier, originally built for Turkey before its ouster from the programme, after the latter conducted tests of the S-400 missile systems purchased from

USAF jets, if that meant initial deliveries could be agreed as early as 2021.[49] According to earlier reports from Greek national daily Estia
on 19 October however, an optimistic scenario would mean that the first six aircraft could only arrive in Greece by 2022, at the earliest.

On 30 June 2022, Greece's prime minister confirmed that the country has sent a request to the United States for the purchase of twenty F-35s, with the option of buying a second group of jets also being examined. The expected delivery date is 2027–2028.[50]

On 27 January 2024, it was announced that the USA approved the sale of 40 F-35s to Greece. These will replace ageing aircraft such as the F-4. This was on the same day as Turkey's approval to buy 40 F-16Vs and 79 modernisation kits for its F-16Cs.[51] The procurement of 20 aircraft was approved by the Hellenic Parliament on 27 June 2024.[52] Greece signed the relevant Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA) on 25 July 2024.[53]

Embraer C-390 Millenium

The C-130B/H variants are coming to the end of their service lives and will need to be replaced soon. As announced in January 2023, the Hellenic Air Force is in talks to potentially buy the Embraer C-390 Millennium from the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer. A potential option of retired C-130Js from the Royal Air Force or Royal Australian Air Force did not produce any results, neither the two C-130H from the USAF that were promised by the US diplomat Antony Blinken as a free-of-charge package of help via EDA, as costs to return into flight status were significant high.[54][55][56]

Despite this, there is no conformation of any purchase, and talks are ongoing.[57][58]

Dassault Rafale F3-R

In August 2020,

French Air Force, that would be given to Greece free-of-charge.[61] However, later reports stated that all eighteen aircraft would be the new F3-R version, and would replace an equal number of older Mirage 2000EGM aircraft, that had not been previously upgraded to the 2000-5 Mk2 version.[62] Finally in January 2021, the official agreement with Dassault Aviation was ratified in parliament, and included the purchase of six newly built, and twelve 'slightly used' F3-R aircraft in previous service with the Armée de l'Air, for a total cost of €2.4 billion, including their armament and ground support.[63][64][65] Theodoros Lagios, Director General of Armament and Investments of the Greek Ministry of Defence (MoD), and Éric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, signed the contracts in Athens on 25 January.[66]

In June 2021, Dassault Aviation released the first photographs of Rafale F3R of the Hellenic Air Force, bearing the HAF

fin flash,[67] and in July, the first aircraft was officially delivered to Greece. The aircraft were commissioned to the 332 'Falcon' All-Weather Squadron
, previously operating with Mirage 2000EGM/BGM jets.

On 11 September 2021, Greek Prime Minister at the 2021 Thessaloniki International Fair announced the purchase of six additional Rafale, bringing the total order number to twenty-four.[68] Greece officially signed the new contract for the acquisition of six additional new Rafale aircraft on 24 March 2022, which follows Greece's acquisition of Rafales in January 2021, and increased number of Rafales to be operated to twenty-four aircraft.[69][70]

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

In 2019, Greece reached an agreement with Israel for the lease, with an option to purchase, of two-plus-one IAI Heron unmanned aerial vehicles.[71] These aircraft would be utilised by HAF and the Hellenic Navy in land and marine border patrol missions. Greek Herons include a unique maritime configuration with sensors and communications designed to monitor the extensive water borders of Greece.

In addition, in November 2020, the Greek multinational company

Intracom Defense Electronics (IDE) was placed head of a consortium that included the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUT), the University of Patras, as well as many other Greek and European companies from Cyprus, Spain, and the Netherlands, for the design and construction of stealth swarm drones, codenamed Project LOTUS (Low Observable Tactical Unmanned System).[72][73] It was noted that two types of drones will be built as part of Project LOTUS. The first will be the 'mothership', a large drone with stealth characteristics,[74] to be designed by the AUT based on the HCUAV RX-1 and Delaer RX-3 prototype designed by the university's Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery (LFMT).[75] The rest will be smaller swarm drones built in large numbers, linked to, and supported by the mothership.[76] These endogenous aircraft will be primarily used in border and maritime patrol missions, high value target reconnaissance and surveillance, while utilising data-fusion technologies to cooperate with HAF's future 4.5 and 5th generation fighters. According to IDE, the air force could completely cover its operational needs within a 5-year plan.[77] On 9 June 2021, the Hellenic MOD approved the project for development, as part of sixteen other multi-national and European projects that were examined and approved by MOD technical staff.[78]

In July 2022, the Hellenic Air Force signed a deal with General Atomics to obtain three General Atomics MQ-9B Sea Guardian UAVs. These will enhance the maritime surveillance capability of the air force, as each aircraft can remain in the air for forty hours, although no purchase has made up to September of 2024.[79]

Turkish drones frequently violate Greek airspace, and they can overwhelm Greek air defences. It is difficult for the likes of a Greek F-16 to engage a

Baykar Bayraktar TB2 if it enters Greek airspace four times a day. For this reason, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel is providing the Drone Dome, a system of electronic devices. These can disrupt the communications and GPS signals of the TB2. This can deny Greek airspace to Turkish drones in the event of a war and even eliminate them with a 10kW laser.[80]

The defence firm Hellenic Aerospace Industry unveiled the new Archytas UAV at the Thessaloniki International Fair in September 2022. This is a fixed-wing UAV in a pusher configuration, with four additional motors to allow the aircraft to take-off and land vertically. Archytas is primarily designed for surveillance by the armed forces. However, it can also be used by civil defence agencies, and can be armed with up to 14 kilograms (31 pounds) of weapons. It has a range of 300 kilometres (186 miles), a top speed of 120 kilometres per hour (75 miles per hour), and a four-hour flight endurance.[81]

It has been announced that the first Greek

UCAV is under development named "Grypas", after the legendary animal. The project is led by HAI, with the collaboration of several universities such as the Democritus University of Thrace. Large scale production is expected to start in 2025.[82]

Regional role

Turkey

In international politics, the antagonism between

Greece and Turkey has made it imperative for HAF to maintain parity with Turkish Air Force (TAF). HAF and TAF pilots have engaged in mock dogfights over the Aegean Sea for years, with some turning deadly; such as the 1996 shooting down of a Turkish F-16 by a Greek Mirage 2000, and the 2006 crash of a Greek F-16 where Greek pilot attempted a move to escape the Turkish F-16 and subsequently crashed into the Aegean sea with the pilot losing his life.[83][84]

The regional balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean was inevitably affected during the Greek government-debt crisis.[85] However, it was subsequently restored, influenced by negative developments in Turkey's F-35 programme in 2019,[86] rise of diplomatic tensions in Turkey-US bilateral relations during the same period,[87] and at the same time, the decision of Greece to direct funds towards the upgrade of its existing F-16 and Mirage 2000 fleet, and eventually to acquire new 4.5 generation fighters in 2020. By 2023, several Rafale jets have been delivered, as well as the upgrade of F16s to the Viper variant.

Cyprus

HAF is also tasked for the defence of Cypriot airspace, as

airbases. To that effect in September 2020, during increased tensions between Greece and Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean amidst Turkish attempts to conduct hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters,[88] Greek F-16 fighter jets taking off from Crete reached and landed on the island of Cyprus for the first time in almost 20 years, participating in joint drills together with Cyprus and France, and successfully returning to their home base after.[89]

The Balkans

In May 2019, the defence ministers of Greece and

USAF aircraft cooperate in a variety of missions, from air patrolling, to ground target marking, and provision of air defence training to allied Balkan countries.[92]

North Africa and Persian Gulf

As part of multilateral arrangements, Greece remains in close military cooperation with countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region and the Persian Gulf, including Israel, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia.[93] On 14 September 2021, the Hellenic Air Force deployed a fully equipped battery of MIM-104 Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia as part of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Concept.[94] According to official statements, Athens and Riyadh had agreed on the deployment of the Hellenic Force of Saudi Arabia (HFSA) consisting of the MIM-104 Patriot System and 120 men with their relevant gear and infrastructure for an unspecified length of time,[95] to guard "critical energy infrastructures".[96]

In September 2020, Greece and the UAE conducted common air superiority drills in the eastern Mediterranean region, which lasted almost three weeks.[97] As the two air forces share very similar types of fleets, and following these common exercises, the two countries signed a mutual defence agreement[98] further reinforcing bilateral military and political ties.

In December 2020, Greece and Israel came closer to a €1.4 billion agreement over twenty years,[99] for the creation of the International Air Force Training Centre (IAFTC) in the Greek city of Kalamata.[100][101] The IAFTC will provide advanced training to new Greek and Israeli military pilots, as well as lease services to international air force customers, utilising the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master jet trainer[102] that will replace the North American T-2 Buckeye. The main Israeli company committed to the investment is Elbit Systems. The International Air Force Training Centre (IAFTC) officially opened in October 2022, with fourteen Beechcraft T-6 single-engine turboprop aircraft, with M-346 and additional T-6 to join in the near future.[103]

In May of 2021 the deal was signed, and since 2023, the International Flight Training Center (IFTC) is in operation, housed within the Kalamata Air Base.[104][105][106]

Equipment

Aircraft

RIAT
An ERJ-135LR in Luxembourg
A Super Puma helicopter for the CSAR mission
A T-6A from the training Wing at Kalamata
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft(219)
Dassault Rafale France Multirole Rafale C F3-R
Rafale B F3-R 		18[107][108][109][110]
6[107][111]
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon United States Multirole F-16C
F-16D 		113[112]
39[112] 		39 variants provide conversion training.[113]
Dassault Mirage 2000
 France Multirole 2000-5EG Mark II
2000-5BG Mark II 		19[112]
5[112] 		16/2 Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM were given back to Dassault in 2023 as part of the Rafale deal. 10 Mirage 2000EG in storage.[107]
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II United States Fighter-bomber F-4E PI 2000 17[112] Will be soon retired
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II United States Multirole F-35A 0 20 on order + 20 option[114]
AWACS(4)
Embraer EMB-145H
 Brazil Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) R-99A 4[112] Also known as "Ericsson Erieye".
Maritime patrol(1)
Lockheed P-3 Orion United States Maritime patrol / ASW P-3B 1[112]
Transport(29)
Lockheed C-130 United States Tactical airlift C-130B
C-130H 		5[107]
10[107] 		Greece could possibly acquire up to 4 new C-130J/J-30 Super Hercules to replace the older C-130B. Another 2 C-130H were be acquired through EDA but costs of returning into flight status deemed high.[115][116][117][118]
Alenia C-27J Italy Tactical airlift C-27J 8[112] 12 originally ordered, the last 4 were cancelled.
Dassault Falcon 7X France VIP transport 7X 1[119] Granted free of charge by Dassault Aviation, it aims to fulfill an obligation not met by France following the Mirage 2000-5 contract signed in 2000.
Gulfstream V United States VIP transport G500 1[120]
Embraer EMB-135
 Brazil VIP transport
135LR/BJ
 1[120] A second Embraer ERJ-135 has been donated to Cyprus since September 2022.[121]
Super King Air United States
Air ambulance
FIA 		350ER King Air
360 King Air 		2[112]
1[122] 		The two 350ERs are operated on behalf of Ministry of Health.[123] The third one is equipped with flight inspection systems (FIS) and is used for aerial surveillance and RNAV procedures.[122]
Trainer aircraft(63+4)
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master Italy Jet trainer M-346 Block 5+ 6 4 on order[124]
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II United States Advanced trainer
Light combat 		T-6A 45[112]
Tecnam P2002 Sierra Italy Basic trainer P-2002JF 12[125]
Aerial firefighting
De Havilland Canada DHC-515
 Canada Firefighting DHC 515 0 7 on order to replace the CL-215.[126]
Canadair CL-415 Canada Firefighting
SAR 		CL 415GR
CL 415MP 		7[127]
1 		One aircraft is dedicated for SAR.[112]
Canadair CL-215 Canada Firefighting CL 215GR 11[128]
PZL-Mielec M-18 Poland Firefighting
Air spraying 		M-18B
M-18AS 		18[129]
3
Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane United States Firefighting S-64 Erickson 2 Four more to be acquired by 2027.[130]
Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma France Utility helicopter AS 332 A2 2[112]
MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 Germany / Japan Observation helicopter BK-117 3M 3
Helicopters(31)
Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma France CSAR
SAR 		AS-332 A2
AS-332 C1 		2[112]
8 [112] 		The 2 AS332 A2 are used for MEDEVAC. To be replaced by possibly the AW139.[131]
Bell 205
 Italy / United States SAR AB-205 12[112] Built by Agusta.
Bell 212 United States VIP transport AB-212 4[132]
Agusta AW109 Italy
MEDEVAC
A-109E Power[133]
A-109 Trekker 		3[134]
2[135] 		Flown for the Ministry of Health.
UAVs
EAV (HAI) Pegasus Greece ISR E1-79 Pegasus Ι
E1-79 Pegasus II 		10
6 		[136]
IAI Eitan - Heron TP Israel ISR Heron 1 3 Leased from Israel.[137]
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper United States MALE / ISR SeaGuardian 0 The purchase of 3 systems has been authorized, but no purchase has been made, as of September 2024. [138]

Retired

Previous notable aircraft operated were the

RF-4E[139][140][141]

Air defence

Current weapon systems of the Hellenic Air Force
Name Origin Type In service Notes
Surface-to-air missile (SAM)
Barak 8 Israel SAM system Defense network "Hellenic Lightning Shield"
MIM-104 Patriot PAC-2 (GEM-T) United States SAM system 6 squadrons, 36 launchers, 320 missiles
S-300 PMU 1 Russia SAM system 1 squadron, 4 systems, 32 launchers, 176 48n6 missiles
TOR M1
 Russia SAM system 4 systems, 16 launchers protecting S300 batteries[142]
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow United States SAM system 20 launchers[142]
Crotale NG France SAM system 9 systems, 18 launchers[142]
Air defence artillery
Oerlikon GDF Switzerland Anti-aircraft gun 40 guns[142]
Rheinmetall Mk 20 Rh-202[142] Germany Anti-aircraft gun n/a

Organisation

Further information: Structure of the Hellenic Air Force

Personnel

Ranks

Main article: Greek military ranks
Officer ranks
NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
 Hellenic Air Force[143]
Πτέραρχος
Pterarchos 		Αντιπτέραρχος
Antipterarchos 		Υποπτέραρχος
Ypopterarchos 		Ταξίαρχος
Taxiarchos 		Σμήναρχος
Sminarchos 		Αντισμήναρχος
Antisminarchos 		Επισμηναγός
Episminagos 		Σμηναγός
Sminagos 		Υποσμηναγός
Yposminagos 		Ανθυποσμηναγός
Anthyposminagos
Other ranks
NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
 Hellenic Air Force[143]
Ανθυπασπιστής[a]
Anthypaspistis 		Αρχισμηνίας
Archisminias 		Επισμηνίας
Episminias 		Σμηνίας
Sminias 		Υποσμηνίας
Yposminias 		Σμηνίτης
Sminitis

Aircraft markings and camouflage

The primary camouflage scheme utilised by the Hellenic Air Force is the Aegean Ghost (

fin flash
of similar blue, white, and blue vertical stripes on the tail fin. The words Πολεμική Αεροπορία (or simply the abbreviation ΠΑ) are applied to the fuselage as well, although this is less common in current schemes. Aircraft in Aegean Ghost scheme may have low visibility markings applied in which blue is replaced by dark grey and white by light grey.

Originally, many aircraft in service retained the basic colour scheme they were acquired in. Prior to World War II, combat aircraft were given a green and brown top scheme with white or sky blue underside, similar to the Royal Air Force. After the war, jet fighter aircraft such as the Sabre and Starfighter would serve in a polished metal scheme. Later, most aircraft received green and brown camouflage again, consistent with the United States Air Force's South East Asia scheme, referred to as Vietnam camouflage in Greece. A-7 Corsair IIs would be some of the last aircraft to fly with this scheme, retaining it until their retirement, long after all-over grey schemes had become the normal application for Greek aircraft. C-130 Hercules transports which were used in south-east Asia early in their careers were repainted in an overall grey theme.

  • Original proportions
    Original proportions
  • Variation used during WWII on some aircraft
    Variation used during WWII on some aircraft
  • Current proportions
    Current proportions
  • Fin flash
    Fin flash

Aircraft accidents and incidents

Main article: List of aviation accidents and incidents in Greece

The worst accident in the history of the Hellenic Air Force occurred on 5 February 1991, when

C-130H Hercules s/n: 748 crashed into Mount Othrys during the landing approach to Nea Anchialos. Sixty-three people were killed.[citation needed
]

The latest accident occurred on 30 January 2023, when a Hellenic Air Force upgraded two-seated F-4E Phantom crashed in the Ionian sea at around 10:30 am, 25 nautical miles (46,3 km) south of Andravida air base. The aircraft belonged to the 338th Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the 117th Combat Wing based in Andravida. The accident occurred during a training exercise with another F-4E that successfully returned to base, the aircraft that crashed was the No.2 of the flight formation. According to early sources, shortly before the crash, the two pilots sent a distress signal that they would abandon the aircraft and use the ejection seats, later it was indicated that neither of the pilots ejected from the aircraft. A large search and rescue operation involving helicopters and ships from the Hellenic Air Force, the Hellenic Navy, and the Hellenic Coast Guard was set to find and rescue the pilots. The co-pilot was confirmed killed, while the captain was declared dead a few days later. It is still unclear what caused the crash, but some speculate that it was due to a technical failure.[144][145][146][147][148]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Greece has only one level of Warrant Officer. According to the current issue (2021) of STANAG 2116, the Greek Warrant Officers are included in OR-9, however they are afforded the privileges of an officer. See STANAG 2116 note 29, page D-9

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Bibliography

  • Carr, John (2012). On Spartan Wings. Barnsley, SY, Pens & Sword Military.
    ISBN 978-1-84884-798-9
    .

Further reading
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