Ο δρόμος για την αναβάθμιση των F-16 Block 50 σε Viper – Τα αγκάθια κι οι λύσεις

As the pace of upgraded F-16 Viper deliveries from EAB increases, the Hellenic Air Force is accelerating discussions on upgrading an additional 38 Block 50 fighter jets to “Aegean Vipers.” Enikos.gr reports on the latest developments.

By Christos Mazanitis

The Greek Aerospace Industry (EAB) appears to be on a path of complete reorganization and growth, with its production line showing upward momentum.

If, as industry experts suggest, EAB can detach itself from the constraints of public sector status—considered a hindrance to its dynamic growth and establishment in the European market—it can offer strong incentives to attract talent and become a hub for new partnerships and investments. Currently, a significant issue is the company’s inability to offer competitive salaries to high-value personnel, resulting in foreign companies with significantly less infrastructure and experience poaching these professionals, which deprives the domestic defense industry of critical capital.

Due to these challenges, there had been delays in delivering the “Aegean Vipers” recently; however, these were overcome through concerted efforts from both management and employees, as well as oversight from American partners involved in the program.

According to Enikos.gr, since February, EAB’s production line has been averaging 3.4 Vipers per month, bringing the total number of upgraded fighters delivered to 36. If this pace continues, an additional 16 fighters could be delivered by the end of the year, raising the total to at least 52.

Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing within the Air Force regarding the upgrade of 38 more Block 50 F-16s to Vipers. Both the leadership and EAB aim to continue the same production line for the Block 50s once the upgrade of the 82 Block 52+ fighters is completed, ensuring a steady flow of upgrades.

This goal aligns with the twelve-year plan of the Armed Forces, which aims for at least 140 to 150 fourth-and-a-half-generation fighter jets by 2030, amounting to 120 Vipers and 24 to 30 Rafales.

Reliable sources from across the Atlantic have assured Enikos.gr that a significant sticking point in talks between the Hellenic Air Force and the manufacturing company—the pricing—will be resolved. “The Chief of the Air Force provided us with a figure, and we will accommodate them,” they noted.

However, experts on the program point out that the upgrade cost per unit will be higher than that of the previous program for two reasons.

The first relates to price increases, particularly in raw materials, which have risen since 2018. The second concerns the earlier models of the fighter jets, which are older than the Block 52+ and 52+ advanced versions currently undergoing refurbishment at EAB, thus requiring more resources.

The upgrade cost is anticipated to be around 1 billion to possibly 1.1 billion euros.

Regarding the older F-16 Block 30 aircraft acquired by the Air Force in 1989, as reported earlier by Enikos.gr, there are considerations for partial upgrades using components from the Block 50 and 52+ models, with work to be carried out at the 111th Combat Wing.