A new timetable for the Greek F-16 upgrade program was recently established by the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAV) to address delays that were hindering the project. After discussions between officials from the Ministry of Defense, EAV, and Lockheed Martin, a plan was set in motion to accelerate production and meet the original deadline of delivering all 82 fighter jets upgraded to the Viper configuration by the end of 2027.
Sources from EAV have indicated that the production gap will be gradually closed by the end of this year. This development comes after reports last April highlighted that the Hellenic Air Force had received seven fewer aircraft than initially agreed upon with the United States, leading to a delay in the project timeline. The deviation from the original schedule started in 2022 and continued into 2023.
Under the new timetable, EAV aims to deliver all the upgraded aircraft originally slated for 2025 by early 2026 and make up for lost time by delivering additional units in 2026 and 2027. The decision to ramp up production demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the successful completion of the F-16 upgrade program.