The first six state-of-the-art Rafale in Greece – How the correlations in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean change

LAST UPDATE: 12:18

By Dimitris Gatsios

“Flesh and bones” takes today the first move in the direction of upgrading the air power of our country. Almost a year after the signing of the contract for the purchase of 18 Rafale fighter jets by the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panayotopoulos and his French counterpart, Florence Parley, today arrived the first six fighters, which change the correlations in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. , emitting a loud signal of superiority. The ελληνικά new Greek wings entered the Athens FIR shortly after twelve and before their final destination, the 114th Battle Wing in Tanagra and the special ceremony, made a passage over the Acropolis.

At the ceremony that will take place at the 114th Battle Wing, the “present” will be given by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, the Chief of the General Staff of National Defense, General Konstantinos Floros, the Chief of General Staff Vice Admiral George Blioumis and the Ambassador of France in Athens, Patrick Mezonav.

The first six Rafale that arrived in Greece today, emitting deterrent messages, consist of two two-seater and four single-seater fighters. In total and based on the Greece-France agreement, our country will acquire 24 Rafale fighter aircraft. The acquisition of the 18 French fighters (six will be new and twelve used) will cost 2.32 billion euros, along with the weapons systems they will carry, while in the coming weeks the additional contract for the purchase of an additional six new ones is expected to be signed. aircraft, which will push the Air Force into its new era.

The Rafale fighter is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter. This means that it can perform missions of different types at the same time, such as impact, aerial superiority and reconnaissance. The combination of Delta-type wing and maneuvering wings gives the Rafale exceptional flexibility, while the fighter can take off even from small runways of the order of 400 meters.

With excellent capabilities, the French fighter is considered to be the most modern European aircraft, which has excellent performance in the air. The Rafale has a range of 2,800 miles and a large fuel capacity. Among other things, the French fighter has the electronic scanning radar (AESA), the integrated self-defense system (SPECTRA), the all-digital cockpit (Glass cockpit), the advanced air-to-air missiles (METEOR & MICA IR) and the strategic impact missile (SCAL). EG).

Features of Rafale fighters:

-C Crew: 1 or 2.

-Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation.

-Dimensions: Length 15.27 meters.

Extent: 10.8 meters.

-Height: 5.34 meters.

-Wing surface: 45.7 m².

-Power source: 2 x SNECMA M88 engines.

-Power: 33,000 lbf 146 kN.

-Performance: Max speed Mach 1.8, 2150 km / h.

-Autonomy: 1100+ mi, 1800+ km.

-Maximum height: 55,000 ft, 16,800 meters.

Rise of ascent: 1,000 ft / sec, 305 m / sec.

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