Saint-Cloud, France. 27 July 2021- The Hellenic Air Force received its first Rafale recently. Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, at the Dassault Aviation Flight Test Center in Istres, in a ceremony in the presence of Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Greek Minister of National Defense, handed over the aircraft to Greece. This first delivery comes successfully only after six months following the signature of the Contract for the acquisition of 18 Rafale, This first aircraft, as well as the next five to come from the French Space and Air Force, will train the HAF Pilots and Technicians in France before deploying to TANAGRA Air Force Base.
A first group of HAF pilots, already trained for several months by the French Space and Air Force, and 50 HAF techniciand the Dassault Aviation Conversion Training Center (CTC) in Mérignac, France to continue their training. It illustrates also Dassault Aviation’s outstanding quality of the cooperation with the Hellenic Air Force, through more than 45 years of uninterrupted and strong partnership.
“Following the Mirage F1 in 1974, the Mirage 2000 in 1985 and the Mirage 2000-5 in 2000, the Rafale is now proudly flying with the Hellenic Air Force colors. The Rafale is a Strategic Game Changer for the HAF. It will play an active role by securing Greece’s leadership as a major regional power. I would like to reaffirm our total commitment to the success of the Rafale in Greece,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.
The Rafale will provide the HAF with a latest-generation multirole fighter, enabling the Hellenic Republic to ensure its geostrategic stance in full sovereignty. The delivery of the first Rafale is a clear demonstration of France’s determination to meet the government of the Hellenic Republic expectations and to participate actively to the sovereignty of the country.
