Hellenic Air Force
Hellenic Air Force | |
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| |
Founded | 1912[1][2] |
Country | Greece |
Branch | Air force |
Role | Aerial warfare |
Size | Approx. 42,500 personnel 635 aircraft 8 types of air defence systems |
Part of | Hellenic Armed Forces |
Nickname(s) | HAF |
Patron | Archangels Michael and Gabriel |
Motto(s) |
|
Colours | |
Anniversaries | 8 November |
Engagements |
|
Website | www |
Organization |
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History |
History Timeline |
Personnel |
List of senior officers Officer rank insignia |
The Hellenic Air Force (HAF;
The Hellenic Air Force is one of the three branches of the
History
Origins
In 1911, the
Balkan Wars and aftermath (1912–1930)
On 5 October 1912, Kamberos flew the first combat mission, a
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
Foundation, World War II and Civil War (1930–1950)
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.
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
After 65 days of war, the RHAF had lost 31 officers, seven wounded, plus four
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 almost the entire 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
During
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)
After the end of the Greek Civil War in November 1950, Greece sent seven
The first
In the late 1960s, the RHAF acquired new jet aircraft. These included the
In the mid-1970s, the Hellenic Air Force was further modernised with deliveries of the
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)
Until the late 1980s, the Air Force deployed missiles armed with U.S. nuclear warheads using the
In March 1985, the Greek government announced the purchase of thirty-four F-16C and six F-16D
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
In 1993, the 'Peace Xenia II' modernisation programme began. Greece ordered thirty-two F-16C and eight F-16D,
Entering the 21st century (1998–2007)
In 1998, Greece decided, in collaboration with the
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
In September 2004, Greece also decided to upgrade all of its existing Mirage 2000 to the
Eventually in 2005, HAF was officially the first air force in the world
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
Later years and Greek economic crisis (2007–2018)
Due to the retirement and obsolescence of units that had concluded their operational cycle (A-7E Corsair II and F-4 Phantom II), HAF was looking forward to acquiring new
During the
Post economic crisis (2018-)
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. This is very expensive for the Armend Forces and this needs reformed. In March 2024, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias announced that the F-4's will be retired soon and the older F-16's and Mirage 2000's will be sold off. This will streamline the Air Force.
This streamlining can be of benefit to other countries such as India which may buy the Mirage jets. As well, the older F-16's may be sold to Ukraine which is in desperate need of new aircraft.[22]
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 GlobalEye as a replacement for these old aircraft. This is still unconfirmed.[23]
F-16V
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
In April 2019, as part of the selection process for the new HAF
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.[31][32]
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
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.[36]
On 27 January 2024, it was announced that the USA approved the sale of 40 F-35's 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-16V's and 79 modernisation kits for its F-16C's.[37]
C-390
The
Despite this, there is no conformation of any purchase, and talks are ongoing.[38]
Rafale
In August 2020,
In June 2021, Dassault Aviation released the first photographs of Rafale F3R of the Hellenic Air Force, bearing the HAF
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.[48] 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.[49][50]
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.[51] 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
In July 2022, the Hellenic Air Force signed a deal with General Atomics to obtain three General Atomics MQ-9C 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.[59]
Turkish drones frequently violate Greek airspace, and they can overwhelm Greek air defences. It is difficult for the likes of a Greek F16 to engage a
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.[61]
It has been announced that the first Greek
Regional role
Turkey
In international politics, the antagonism between
The regional balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean was inevitably affected during the Greek government-debt crisis.[65] However, it was subsequently restored, influenced by negative developments in Turkey's F-35 programme in 2019,[66] rise of diplomatic tensions in Turkey-US bilateral relations during the same period,[67] 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 F16's to the Viper variant.
Cyprus
HAF is also tasked for the defence of Cypriot airspace, as
The Balkans
In May 2019, the defence ministers of Greece and
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.[73] 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.[74] 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,[75] to guard "critical energy infrastructures".[76]
In September 2020, Greece and the UAE conducted common air superiority drills in the eastern Mediterranean region, which lasted almost three weeks.[77] As the two air forces share very similar types of fleets, and following these common exercises, the two countries signed a mutual defence agreement[78] further reinforcing bilateral military and political ties.
In December 2020, Greece and Israel came closer to a €1.4 billion agreement over twenty years,[79] for the creation of the International Air Force Training Centre (IAFTC) in the Greek city of Kalamata.[80][81] 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[82] 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.[83]
Equipment
Aircraft
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat Aircraft | ||||||
Dassault Rafale | France | multirole | DG/EG | 18 | 6 on order[84] | |
Mirage 2000
|
France | multirole | 5 Mark II | 24[84] | ||
F-4 Phantom II | United States | fighter-bomber | F-4E | 33[84] | ||
F-16 Fighting Falcon | United States | multirole | F-16C/D | 151 | 39 D variants provide conversion training[84] | |
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II | United States | Multirole combat aircraft | F-35a
|
20+20 on order | Deal signed and entering service in 2028[85] | |
Maritime Patrol | ||||||
Lockheed P-3 Orion | United States | patrol / ASW | 1[84] | |||
AWACS | ||||||
Embraer E-99
|
Brazil | AEW&C | 4[84] | |||
Aerial Firefighting | ||||||
PZL-Mielec M-18 | Poland | water bomber | M-18B | 22[86] | ||
Bombardier CL-415
|
Canada | water bomber | 7[87] | One aircraft is dedicated for SAR.[84] Seven new DHC-515 aircraft on order to replace the CL-215.[88][89] | ||
Bombardier CL-215
|
Canada | water bomber | 11[90] | |||
Transport | ||||||
Alenia C-27J | Italy | transport | 8[84] | |||
Gulfstream V | United States | VIP transport | 1[91] | |||
Super King Air | United States | air ambulance
|
350 | 2[84] | flown for the Ministry of Health[92] | |
Lockheed C-130 | United States | tactical airlift | C-130B/H | 4[84] | ||
Embraer EMB-135
|
Brazil | VIP transport | 135LR/BJ
|
1 / 1[91] | ||
Dassault Falcon 7X | France | VIP transport | 1[93] | |||
Helicopters
| ||||||
Bell 205
|
United States | utility | 12[84] | |||
Bell 212 | United States | VIP transport | 2[94] | |||
Eurocopter AS332 | France | utility / CSAR | 12[84] | |||
AgustaWestland AW109 | Italy | air ambulance
|
Trekker | 2[84] | flown for the Ministry of Health | |
Trainer Aircraft
| ||||||
T-6 Texan II | United States | advanced trainer | T-6A | 45[84] | ||
T-2 Buckeye | United States | jet trainer | T-2C/E | 40[84] | ||
P2002 Sierra | Italy | basic trainer | P-2002JF | 12[95] | ||
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 | Italy | jet trainer | LIFT | 5 | 5 on order[84][96] | |
UAVs | ||||||
Pegasus | Greece | surveillance | Pegasus II | 16[97] | ||
IAI Eitan - Heron TP | Israel | surveillance | Heron TP | 3 | leased from Israel[98] | |
General Atomics MQ-9B | United States | MALE uav
|
SeaGuardian | 3 on order [99] |
Retired
Previous notable aircraft operated were the
Air defence
Name | Origin | Type | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) | ||||
MIM-104 Patriot | United States | SAM system | 6 squadrons, each consisting of two fire units with 6 launchers per unit | |
S-300 PMU 1 | Russia | SAM system | 1 squadron, 4 systems, 32 launchers | |
TOR M1 |
Russia | SAM system | 4 systems, 16 launchers protecting S300 batteries[103] | |
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow | United States | SAM system | 20 launchers[103] | Part of the Skyguard air defence system |
Crotale | France | SAM system | 9 systems, 18 launchers[103] | |
Air Defence Artillery | ||||
Oerlikon GDF | Switzerland | Anti-aircraft gun | 40 guns[103] | Part of the Skyguard air defense system |
Rheinmetall Mk 20 Rh-202[103] | Germany | Anti-aircraft gun | n/a |
Organisation
Personnel
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 | OF(D) | Student officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hellenic Air Force[104] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[104] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 (
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
-
Variation used during WWII on some aircraft
-
Current proportions
-
Fin flash
Aircraft accidents and incidents
The worst accident in the history of the Hellenic Air Force occurred on 5 February 1991, when
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.[105][106][107][108][109]
See also
- List of flying aces from Greece
- Hellenic Air Force Academy
- Hellenic Aerospace Industry
- Sedes Air Base
- Kavala AirSea Show
- Hellenic Air Force Museum
Notes
- ^ 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
- George J. Beldecos et al. Hellenic Wings: An Illustrated History of the Hellenic Air Force and its Precursors - 1908–1944, pub. Air Historical Branch (HAF), 1st edition (1999)
- A. Tsagaratos (editor): Hellenic Air Force Yearbook 2010/B, Special Projects, Athens, Greece, ISSN 1790-4102 (2011). Page 8 contains a summary Order of Battle and a summary aircraft inventory, as of December 2010.
- World Military Aircraft Inventory, Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, 15 January 2007
- The Library of Congress Country Studies, CIA World Factbook
- Greece – The Hellenic Air Force
- E. A. Pagotsis (2008). Hellenic Defence Review 2008–2009. Athens: Line Defence Public Ltd. pp. 128–159.
- Aircraft Inventory (Greek)
External links
- Hellenic Air Force — official website
- Hellenic Republic Ministry of National Defence — official website