The French media provide more details about the deliveries of the Greek Rafales.
The Greek purchase, between EUR 1 and 2 bilions, includes 18 aircraft. 12 of these are second hand planes and 6 new ones.
All 18 aircraft will be Rafale F3R. The 12 used aircraft will be delivered after being updated at this standard.
The 18 aircraft are expected to be delivered at a rate of 6 per year, in the period between 2021 and 2023 (although there is no certainty about this time frame).
Deliveries would follow this order:
- 2021: 6 used aircraft
- 2022: 6 new aircraft
- 2023: 6 used aircraft
However, this timetable has not yet been made official.
The F3-R standard is an evolution of the Rafale F3 standard. It is part of the ongoing process to continuously improve the aircraft in line with the operational requirements and the feedback from experience of the pilotes.
It enables the Rafale aircraft to carry the following equipment and weapons:
- The European Meteor long-range air-to-air missile produced by MBDA
- The Thales Talios new-generation laser designator pod.
- The laser homing version of the Safran AASM Air-to-Ground Modular Weapon.
The F3R standard also includes upgrades to the Rafale sensors and to systems ensuring total interoperability.