Western and Middle Eastern media have reported that Greece plans to return 32 F-16 Block 30 fighters to the United States. These planes, currently operated by the Hellenic Air Force, will first undergo modernization in the U.S. before being sent to Ukraine as military aid.
This arrangement follows the U.S. Congress’s approval for Greece to receive 40 F-35A fighters, which are the next-generation successors to the F-16 for the U.S. and its allies. Greece is joining other European countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark in providing F-16s to Ukraine, made possible by their acquisition of F-35As as replacements.
Alongside the F-35s, the Hellenic Air Force has begun receiving Rafale ‘4+ generation’ fighters, some of which were generously donated second-hand by France. This addition helps Greece maintain a varied and capable air fleet.
Greece originally purchased 40 F-16s in March 1985, which quickly became NATO’s primary fighters, replacing older models like the F-104 and F-4. After nearly four decades, these F-16s are now considered technologically outdated and expensive to maintain due to aging airframes.
There is speculation that Greece may also donate its retired Mirage 2000 fighters to Ukraine, particularly after France announced in June its own Mirage 2000 donations to support Ukrainian defenses, complementing the F-16s being sent by other European nations. Greece and France are the only European operators of the Mirage 2000, with the F-16 being preferred for its perceived superiority and cost-effectiveness.
Despite the donation of a substantial number of F-16s, they are unlikely to significantly alter the air power dynamics, as their capabilities are considered inferior to the Ukrainian Air Force’s existing Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters. Newer F-16 variants, such as the Block 70/72, might challenge Russian fighters with their advanced avionics and weaponry, but older models from the Cold War era are outclassed by modern Russian aircraft like the Su-30SM and Su-35S. These older F-16s also use outdated radars compared to the advanced phased array radars on Russian frontline fighters, and their radar systems are smaller than those on most Russian aircraft.
Consequently, the F-16s are likely to be stationed away from frontline combat, protected by ground-based air defenses, and used primarily for launching long-range missiles while avoiding direct engagement with Russian aircraft.
The anticipation surrounding the F-16s being sent to Ukraine is growing. On July 8, Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp announced that the Netherlands would begin supplying F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine immediately. The Netherlands aims to enhance Ukrainian defenses against ongoing Russian attacks, with plans for a swift delivery of the aircraft now that export licenses are approved.
The Dutch government is also increasing its support significantly, tripling its military aid for F-16 armaments. The total military aid package has risen to 450 million euros (approximately $487 million) from 150 million euros. According to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, it is essential that the Ukrainians are well-equipped to fully utilize the F-16s to repel Russian aggression, emphasizing the importance of the new ammunition.
The Netherlands is transferring 24 F-16AM/BM Block 15 Mid-Life Update (MLU) aircraft to Ukraine and sending an additional 18 to the European F-16 Training Center in Romania. Belgium, Denmark, and Norway are also contributing 30, 19, and six F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLUs, respectively, bringing the total to 79 F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLU aircraft, with potentially more to follow.
