The Greek Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) on Tuesday unanimously approved the purchase of 30 F-16 Block 52+ fighter aircraft from the United States through a bilateral agreement.

Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos said that the total cost of the program will amount to 1.625 billion euros (1.95 billion US dollars) and also cover support needs of 60 aircraft of the same type purchased under a contract signed in 2000.

The minister stressed that the new procurement will meet the defense capability needs of Greece, adding that the agreement ensures full transparency and that the new buy is based on Hellenic and US legal procedures for defense acquisitions.

The new aircraft will be delivered in 2009 and immediately enter full operational use and be equipped with a self-protection system.

Spiliotopoulos said that the cost per aircraft under the current program was 36.7 million euros (44.1 million US dollars).

Source: Xinhua