SOURCE: AFI
The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) finds itself at a crossroads as it grapples with the future of its Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets. Once a cornerstone of Greece’s aerial defense, these aircraft—acquired to counter regional rival Turkey—are facing an uncertain destiny. Efforts to offload them to potential buyers like India and France have faltered, leaving Athens to contemplate their gradual phase-out as maintenance challenges loom large. With a critical support contract set to expire in 2027 and no clear renewal in sight, the Mirage 2000-5’s days in Greek service may be numbered.
Greece’s attempts to divest its fleet of 25 Mirage 2000-5 jets have hit a wall. Both India and France, initially seen as viable markets, have declined to pursue the deal. India, which operates an older Mirage 2000 variant, showed fleeting interest in acquiring the -5 models as a stopgap to bolster its depleting fighter squadrons. However, New Delhi’s focus has shifted toward indigenous programs like the Tejas and potential acquisitions of more advanced platforms, such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 or additional Dassault Rafales, rendering the Greek offer less appealing.
France, the Mirage’s home country, also passed on the opportunity. The French Air Force has fully transitioned to the Rafale, phasing out its own Mirage 2000 fleet progressively. With no operational need for the -5 variant and a saturated second-hand market, Paris saw little value in absorbing Greece’s jets. This double rejection has left the HAF with a surplus asset it can neither sell nor easily sustain.
The clock is ticking for Greece’s Mirage 2000-5s. A maintenance contract, signed in 2019 with French firms Dassault Aviation, Safran, and Thales, ensures the fleet’s airworthiness until 2027. Valued at €332 million, this deal covers spares, repairs, and technical support—a lifeline for keeping the jets operational. However, as Lt. Gen. Theodoros Lagios, Greece’s Chief of Air Staff, hinted, “No one knows if it will be renewed, as Dassault Aviation, Safran, and Thales intend to concentrate their efforts on the Rafale.”
With export avenues closed, Greece faces a tough decision: extend the Mirage 2000-5’s service life or accelerate its retirement. Renewing the maintenance contract beyond 2027 could buy time, but at a steep cost. Industry sources estimate that sustaining the fleet without French support could increase annual upkeep by 30-40%, as Greece might need to turn to third-party suppliers or cannibalize parts from its older Mirage 2000s. This stopgap measure would only delay the inevitable, draining funds that could be invested in new aircraft.
Alternatively, Greece could pivot to a full Rafale-centric force, mirroring France’s strategy. Acquiring additional Rafales—potentially 12-18 more—would standardize the HAF’s fleet, streamline logistics, and ensure long-term support from Dassault. However, budget constraints pose a hurdle. Greece’s defense spending, already at 3.8% of GDP (among NATO’s highest), is strained by recent procurements, including F-35 talks with the U.S. and naval upgrades. Funding another Rafale tranche might require creative financing, such as selling off the Mirage 2000-5s for scrap or training purposes to offset costs.
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