Key Points and Summary – Greece will take delivery of its first F-35s by the end of 2028, with Lockheed Martin confirming Athens as the program’s 19th customer and placing its jets in Lot 20.
-Long-lead items are already funded, full production starts in 2027.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II takes off for a mission during U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration (WSINT) at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 3, 2025. WSINT serves as the culminating exercise for U.S. Air Force Weapons School students, bringing together air, space, and cyber forces in realistic, mission-critical training scenarios that mirror the complexities of modern warfare. Conducted twice a year, the integration event tests multi-domain operations and strengthens joint force interoperability, enhancing combat readiness across the spectrum of military operations over the Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)
Nellis AFB; ACC; Las Vegas; Nellis Air Force Base; contentcollectionweek; readiness; US Air Force Weapons School; WSINT
-The buy caps a broader modernization drive that includes F-16 Viper upgrades, MH-60R helicopters, and new naval assets.
-Beyond stealth, Lockheed’s Gary North emphasizes the F-35’s sensor fusion and data-sharing as a NATO interoperability multiplier.
-Industrially, Greece is set for $1B+ in benefits tied to ongoing work, amid a wider European F-35 supply base. First jets are three years out, as Turkey expands its indigenous airpower and regional risks persist.
Greece to Get F-35 Stealth Fighters by 2028
Greece will receive its inaugural delivery of F-35 stealth fighters by the end of 2028, defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin has announced.
This will mark a significant achievement in Greece’s continued effort to modernize its military, and will elevate Athens onto the expanding list of European states investing in fifth-generation fighters.
Delays Due to High F-35s Demand
This May, the Pentagon confirmed that Athens would become the 19th country to sign up for the F-35 program, with Lockheed Martin confirming that construction of its jets would start in Lot 20.
Long-lead procurement has already begun, with full production set for 2027.
These aircraft are complex to build, and growing security concerns mean they are evermore in demand by US allies.
The purchase of these sleek aircraft is just one step in Greece’s ongoing path to military progression.
Athens has also negotiated deals for upgraded F-16 Vipers, MH-60R helicopters, and a slew of naval assets in recent years.
Jets to Aid NATO Cooperation
Gary North, vice president at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and an ex-senior U.S. Air Force commander, has stressed the F-35’s role as more than simply another fighter jet, offering the Hellenic Air Force advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and data-sharing capabilities.
“The F-35 doesn’t just increase interoperability within the Hellenic Air Force – it is also a cornerstone for interoperability with NATO,” he told ekathimerini.com.
$1 Billion Boost to Greece
The program could also be a boost to Greece’s struggling economy. Lockheed Martin claims that once Greece’s current F-16 upgrade effort is dealt with, $1 billion plus in benefits will have flowed into the Mediterranean nation.
With one-quarter of each F-35 by value now manufactured on European soil, Greece too stands to gain from partnerships and technology transfer.
But such flashy modern jets do not simply materialize overnight. While Lockheed says that continuous upgrades will ensure the aircraft is relevant for decades to come, the first Hellenic F-35s are not set to enter service for at least another three years.
Meanwhile, Greece’s regional rivals are also increasing their resources.
Turkey, excluded from the F-35 program but expanding its domestic drone and aircraft sectors, represents an ongoing strategic concern for Athens.
Greece’s investment comes at a time of surging multipolarity and risk. Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean have simmered for now, but the future of Israel, Lebanon and Syria is uncertain. NATO also finds itself bracing for threats from Russia and China.
Athens is correct to crave a fifth-generation airpower that will aid efforts to secure its own sovereignty and contribute to wider European security as trouble mounts.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education. You can follow her on X: @llggeorgia.
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