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Greek F-16 Upgrade to Viper: Costs and Challenges

The Greek Air Force is planning a major upgrade of its F-16 Block 50 fighter jets, facing challenges in cost and self-protection systems.

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Greece

TechnologyMilitaryMilitary TechnologyDefenseFighter JetsUpgrade

Greek Air ForceUs GovernmentNorthrop GrummanL3HarrisBae

Nikos Dendias

What is the estimated cost of the planned upgrade?: The estimated cost of upgrading the 38 F-16s to Viper standard is around \u20ac1.1 billion, although the Air Force hopes to negotiate a price closer to \u20ac800 million. The final cost will depend on the specific upgrades chosen and the location of the work.
What is a major challenge related to the F-16 upgrade?: One major challenge is replacing the existing ASPIS II self-protection system, which is underperforming. The Air Force is considering three commercially available options: IVEWS, Viper Shield, and Storm EW, ruling out the development of a new system.
What other modernization efforts are planned for the Greek Air Force?: Besides the Viper upgrade, the Greek Air Force also needs to procure targeting pods (Sniper Pods) and weapons for its F-16s, adding to the defense budget burden in the coming years. These procurements highlight the ongoing efforts to modernize the Greek Air Force's capabilities.
What is the Greek Air Force planning to do with its F-16 Block 50 fighter jets?: The Greek Air Force is considering upgrading its F-16 Block 50 fighter jets to the Viper standard. This is part of a larger plan to modernize its fleet and reach a target of 200 modern aircraft. The final decision awaits the arrival of a formal offer from the US government.
Why is the upgrade of the Block 50s more expensive than upgrading newer models?: The upgrade includes significant structural reinforcements and avionics improvements to bring the older Block 50s up to Viper capabilities. This necessitates more work compared to upgrading newer models, contributing to the higher cost.

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