Hellenic Air Force

The Hellenic Air Force, the aerial branch of the Greek Armed Forces, plays a crucial role in Greece's national defense strategy, particularly given the country's complex geopolitical landscape. Sharing borders and maritime interests with several nations, including Turkey with whom relations are often tense, the Hellenic Air Force operates in an environment that demands both readiness and versatility. Its fleet comprises a mixture of American, French, and locally produced aircraft, including F-16 Fighting Falcons, Mirage 2000s, and the older F-4 Phantoms.

Technologically, the Hellenic Air Force is fairly modern, although some of its assets are aging and require either upgrades or replacement. The mainstay of the force, the F-16, is undergoing an upgrade to the more advanced Viper variant, ensuring that Greece maintains a credible air-to-air and air-to-ground capability. This modernization is vital for Greece to manage its primary strategic concern: the defense of its airspace and territorial waters, particularly in the Aegean Sea where tensions with Turkey are most palpable.

Strategically, the Hellenic Air Force operates mainly within the framework of national defense but also fulfills Greece's NATO obligations. Interoperability with other NATO air forces is a priority, and Greece often participates in multinational exercises to hone its capabilities and integrate its tactics with allied nations. The force is designed for quick response and flexible deployment to defend the mainland and numerous islands, which poses logistical and operational challenges.

However, the Hellenic Air Force faces obstacles that extend beyond operational and technical dimensions. Budget constraints have been a longstanding issue, often impeding timely upgrades or acquisition of new hardware. Moreover, the economic challenges have led to reduced manpower and occasional shortfalls in training and maintenance, thereby affecting operational readiness.

Despite that, the Hellenic Air Force maintains a robust posture, enabled by its strategic focus on key capabilities rather than a broad spectrum of assets. Its investment in anti-aircraft systems, radar infrastructure, and pilot training ensures a competent defense against various forms of aerial threats. Furthermore, Greece's geographic position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa places it in a unique position to contribute to broader regional stability, often in collaboration with EU and NATO partners.

Key facts

Official Name	Hellenic Air Force
Local Name	Πολεμική Αεροπορία (Polemikí Aeroporía)
Country	🇬🇷 Greece
World rank	#18
Active aircrafts	635 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	41
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Helicopters	271
Combat aircrafts	193
Training	144
Transport	17
Special missions	10

Aircrafts most used by Greek air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
F-16 Fighting Falcon	153	American multirole fighter, famed in late Cold War conflicts, renowned for performance in precision daytime strikes and defensive counter air operations.
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"	110	American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations.
206 JetRanger	68	American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s.
T-6 Texan II	45	American turboprop trainer, widely deployed worldwide since the late 20th century for pilot instructing and light attack roles.
Mirage 2000	42	French multirole fighter, operational since the 1980s, extensively used in numerous conflicts including the Gulf and Balkan Wars.
T-2 Buckeye	40	American trainer aircraft, active from 1950s to 2000s, extensively utilized for pilot training in the United States Navy.
F-4 Phantom II	33	American fighter-bomber, renowned for its widespread use in the Vietnam War and numerous other international military conflicts.
AH-64 Apache	29	American attack helicopter, developed during the Cold War, most famous for significant deployments in Gulf War and Afghanistan conflict.
CH-47 Chinook	25	American tandem rotor helicopter, synonymous with heavy-lift operations, crucial in conflicts including Vietnam and Afghanistan.
TH-55 Osage	18	American training helicopter, prominent during the Vietnam War, extensively utilized for instructional duties by the US Army.

Full inventory in 2024