no rafale in Greece, only M2k D

No M2K D in Greece, only M2K EGM and M2K-5; no strike variant that is.

This whole thing makes me think that France would REALLY like to see Greece buy Rafale,
since they could then use Greek bases more easily, with Rafale support equipment already in place, etc.
Almost makes enough to sense to offer to pay for the bases, and their air-defense, etc… 😎

Good point. But: 1) Only one base in Greece capable of fully supporting french fighters, in central Greece, plus two more partly capable in the eastern of the country. Nothing near the libyan sea. and b) French paying for the bases? No way, not in this universe.

What political cost would that be? What are the arguments? Turning down Greek participation but at the same time making Greek airbases available for NATO doesn´t sound consistent to me.

There are many leftist and opposition voices in Greece who argue that this is a so called evil imperialist war against the poor people of Libya and that we should not take any part in it. Moreover, the reaction and protests when it was announced that the Hellenic Air Force would participate with 8 F-16s, 1 Erieye and 2 Super Pumas in the operation was such that the government quickly withdrew the decision. To get the whole picture, you need to consider that it is a difficult era in Greece, financially speaking. There are strikes and demonstrations on a nearly daily basis, and a few cover stories with headlines like “The war in Libya will cost us 2 million euros daily when the government is cutting the pensions” was not too nice for the government profile.

On the other hand, making a few airbases available to others costs much less, both financially and in appearences.

GBU-49 I don’t know, but they are using IRIS-T missiles:
http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article12849184.ab

Who cares if GBU-XX is certified anyway? The Swedish politicians screamed in all available frequencies that “we are a peaceful people we don’t go to Libya to bomb the hell out of Gadafi, we only go there to enforce NFZ”.

Technically our Bk-117´s in the Guardia Civil are military.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfKoN01d-JQ/SfSTB9-nfjI/AAAAAAAAAak/WuWYUGVi-7M/s1600-h/avc_00112338.jpg

So do our own of the Fire Service…

http://www.ellinikos-stratos.com/aeroporia/bk-117.asp

An interesting side story: Back in 2002, the local “17 November” terrorist organisation was disbanded, and at some point there was only the head of the 17N missing, mr Yiotopoulos. His whereabouts were found at an eastern aegean island, preparing to flee to Turkey. In order not to attract any attention, SWAT policemen in fireservice uniforms went to the island using a fire service BK117 and arrested him on the spot, then they returned the same way… :diablo:

According to articles in several newspapers during the last two days, four HAF’s air bases will be made available for NATO operations for the enforcement of a non-fly zone over Libya with five more in Italy and 3 in Spain. Greek fighters will also be made available for any operation, “if so asked by NATO” (whatever that means).

The four bases are Aktio (in Epirus to the north, AWACS base), Andravida (home base of two F-4E AUP sqns), Araxos (these two in NW Peloponesos) and Souda (in Crete, the last two being home bases of 3 F-16C/D Block 52 sqns).

http://www.zougla.gr/page.ashx?pid=2&aid=270707&cid=6
http://www.defencenet.gr/defence/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18068&Itemid=139
http://army.gr/files/Image/imerisiosfiles/20110306/15.jpg

Sorry, I didn’t manage to find anything in English.

The Hellenic Air Force -HAF- for sure, from the first moment. Gadafi has very good relations with our prime minister (which is why that clown hasn’t publicly contemned his actions yet) and Mr Vardinoyannis, a Greek oil tycoon from Crete. Nonetheless, it’s always nice to have the right connections at the right time: Vardinoyannis reportedely speaks directly with people from both Gadafi’s and the protester’s side!!!

Link in Greek with some pics:

http://www.haf.gr/el/news.asp?id=4899

But if this is supposed to be a NATO operation, what’s wrong with Greece? Souda is much closer to eastern Libya than any of the places mentioned so far.

Nothing is wrong except for the usual whining of the local communist party and other sorry leftist voices. In fact, Greek F-16s have been regularly flying patrol missions in the area to the south, for fear of libyan planes defecting (has already happen twice in the past with Mig-23s, one of which crashed and burned). Souda is a descent base and there is always the Kasteli forward AFB a little further to the east of the same island as supplement.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e588cd5c-4338-11e0-aef2-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1FHe2Qev0

Also, the article is for subscribers only, would it be possible to provide at least a small part?

Finally I bet EADS are praying for it to happen nothing like having “PROVEN IN COMBAT” on your sales brochure!:diablo:

When the Gripen NG was presented to the public some 3 years ago, in the interview following one reporter made this poisonous question whether the Gripen had ever been used in combat (as if he didn’t know and expected to learn on that very day :diablo: ). The answer he received was “No. Just like the F-35 or the F-22.” :dev2: