(ANSA-AFP) - ATHENS, JAN 25 - Greece and France signed a
2.5-billion-euro ($3 billion) warplane deal on Monday as part of
a burgeoning arms programme to counter Turkish challenges in the
eastern Mediterranean. France has strongly backed Greece in a
standoff with Turkey over natural gas resources and naval
influence in the waters off their respective coasts. The deal
will see Greece buying 18 Rafale jets, 12 of them used, made by
French firm Dassault to bolster its forces during their regular
mid-air skirmishes with Turkish pilots over disputed Aegean
airspace. The deal "sends a clear message in several
directions", said Greek Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos
who oversaw a signing ceremony with French counterpart Florence
Parly in Athens. Greek government spokesman Christos Tarantilis
said delivery of the first six planes would begin in July. A
group of Greek airforce pilots and technicians are to travel to
France for training over the next few days, he added.
(ANSA-AFP).
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