Greece gets F-35 jets meant for Turkey - report
The United States approved the sale of fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jets to Greece, several of which were originally destined for Turkey, Greek City Times reported on Tuesday.
Greece will buy six of 20 warplanes in 2022, along with six French-made Rafale fighter jets, the news website said, citing Greek language newspaper Estia.
Six of the F-35s were originally meant for Turkey, but will now be decorated in the blue and white national colours of Greece, GCT said.
The United States excluded Turkey from a deal to purchase the F-35s last year after the Turkish government took delivery of Russian S-400 air defence missiles. Turkish pilots had received training in the fighter jets in the US ahead of their expected arrival.
The source reminds that Greece’s deal to take delivery of the F-35s comes during a political and military standoff with Turkey over territorial claims in the eastern Mediterranean.