Greece wants US-made AIM-120D missiles for its F-35s to counter Türkiye’s Meteor procurement
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
Greece has renewed its request that the United States approve the export of US-made AIM-120D air-to-air missiles for its incoming F-35 fighters to counter Türkiye’s purchase of the European Meteor missile.
As reported by Kathimerini on November 10, 2025, Greece’s Ministry of National Defense formally renewed its request to the United States to acquire AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles to equip its incoming F-35A fighters and offset Türkiye’s Meteor missile acquisition. U.S. officials have not yet issued a decision, with the proposal under review as part of wider regional arms transfer assessments. Athens has also reportedly indicated that if approval is not granted, it will consider the European Meteor missile as an alternative option, signaling a potential realignment in its defense procurement strategy.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Greece sees the F-35 armed with AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) as essential to preserving the balance of airpower in the Aegean, especially in light of Türkiye’s plan to equip its Eurofighter Typhoon fleet with Meteor missiles. (Picture source: US Air Force)
Washington has so far maintained a cautious position on exporting AIM-120D missiles to Greece, and Greek officials have indicated that if the U.S. does not approve the export, Athens will equip its twenty F-35A Lightning II fighter jets it has on order with the European Meteor missile instead, by placing a new order with MBDA. Such a decision would preserve combat parity while shifting procurement toward European suppliers and reducing reliance on U.S. armaments. For the Hellenic Air Force, maintaining long-range engagement capability, beyond 150 kilometers, is considered critical to ensuring deterrence and operational effectiveness in both the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, the AIM-120D is currently the most advanced version of the AMRAAM family in operational service, produced by Raytheon.
Compared to earlier variants, the AIM-120D introduces a two-way datalink for in-flight updates, a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, and improved electronic protection for operations in dense jamming environments. The missile keeps the AMRAAM’s dimensions, 3.66 meters in length, 178 millimeters in diameter, and around 160 kilograms in launch weight, and uses a solid-fuel rocket motor capable of reaching speeds close to Mach 4. Its active radar seeker allows true “fire-and-forget” performance, freeing pilots to disengage or pursue new targets. The AIM-120D can reach estimated ranges of 160 to 180 kilometers depending on altitude and flight profile, and its high off-boresight capability enables engagements against agile opponents from multiple angles. Upgraded electronics and circuit boards give it a wider no-escape zone, while maintaining compatibility across a range of aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35. For Greece, integration with the F-35’s avionics and mission data systems would allow a seamless introduction into the fleet once deliveries begin.
Athens is also looking beyond the AIM-120D toward future weapons such as the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), which is being developed by Lockheed Martin to eventually replace the AMRAAM. The JATM is designed for a greater range, estimated at over 200 kilometers, and a higher top speed near Mach 5, while remaining compatible with F-22, F/A-18E/F, F-35, and F-15EX aircraft. The program was launched in 2017 to counter the increasing reach of Chinese and Russian missiles, with flight testing starting in 2020. Both the U.S. Air Force and Navy rank the AIM-260 as their top air-launched weapon priority, though delays in integration have pushed its entry into service beyond the original timeline. For the 2026 fiscal year, the U.S. military budget allocates around $687 million for JATM development and procurement. Greece’s interest in this missile reflects a desire to stay aligned with future NATO capabilities and ensure that its new F-35As can carry the most advanced weapons available once the system becomes export-ready.
The country’s F-35A procurement forms the centerpiece of its airpower modernization strategy. The 3.47 billion euro contract signed in July 2024 includes twenty aircraft, two spare engines, four simulators, pilot and technician training, and four years of Full Operational Support, with weapons purchases handled under separate contracts. Deliveries will begin in 2028, with the first jets remaining in the United States for training before joining the 117th Fighter Wing at Andravida Air Base in the early 2030s. The U.S. State Department has already approved a potential sale of up to forty F-35s valued at $8.6 billion, and a separate $17.2 million agreement was signed in May 2025 to cover technical assistance through 2028. Furthermore, it was reported in September 2025 that Athens could purchase 8 to 12 additional F-35s following delays in the upgrade of 38 F-16 Block 50s. Infrastructure upgrades at Andravida, covering secure facilities, navigation, and mission-data systems, are already underway to prepare for the introduction of the fifth-generation aircraft.
The Hellenic Air Force currently operates 24 Rafale F3R fighters delivered between 2022 and early 2025, armed with Meteor, MICA, SCALP, and AM39 Exocet missiles under contracts totaling roughly 3.6 billion euros. These aircraft, who replaces older Mirage 2000s, complement the country’s 83 upgraded F-16 Vipers, which will form the backbone of operations for the rest of the decade. The modernization of 38 F-16 Block 50s, valued at about 900 million euros after revisions, will be carried out at Hellenic Aerospace Industry facilities, ensuring domestic expertise and job retention. Greek defense officials have ruled out additional Rafale purchases for now, noting that the combined F-35, F-16V, and Rafale fleets provide sufficient balance for current and future requirements. This structure is designed to guarantee a credible deterrent posture and maintain interoperability with allied air forces across southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Athens is also exploring new technologies to support its fighter modernization. Discussions are underway with the United States on potential participation in Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programs, which pair crewed fighters with autonomous drones capable of conducting surveillance, electronic warfare, and strike missions. Congress has already approved funding of between $500 million and $3.1 billion over four years for the development of these autonomous systems, opening opportunities for international collaboration. In parallel, the Hellenic Air Force is assessing the APKWS II laser-guided rocket as a low-cost anti-drone weapon for its F-16s and helicopters. By converting existing 70mm Hydra rockets into precision munitions effective between 5 and 8 kilometers, the system provides a practical counter to small or swarming drones. Each F-16 could carry up to six rocket pods with a total of 42 guided rockets, while helicopters from the Army and Navy could also employ the same weapon to counter unmanned threats efficiently without relying on expensive air-to-air missiles.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
Greece has renewed its request that the United States approve the export of US-made AIM-120D air-to-air missiles for its incoming F-35 fighters to counter Türkiye’s purchase of the European Meteor missile.
As reported by Kathimerini on November 10, 2025, Greece’s Ministry of National Defense formally renewed its request to the United States to acquire AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles to equip its incoming F-35A fighters and offset Türkiye’s Meteor missile acquisition. U.S. officials have not yet issued a decision, with the proposal under review as part of wider regional arms transfer assessments. Athens has also reportedly indicated that if approval is not granted, it will consider the European Meteor missile as an alternative option, signaling a potential realignment in its defense procurement strategy.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Greece sees the F-35 armed with AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) as essential to preserving the balance of airpower in the Aegean, especially in light of Türkiye’s plan to equip its Eurofighter Typhoon fleet with Meteor missiles. (Picture source: US Air Force)
Washington has so far maintained a cautious position on exporting AIM-120D missiles to Greece, and Greek officials have indicated that if the U.S. does not approve the export, Athens will equip its twenty F-35A Lightning II fighter jets it has on order with the European Meteor missile instead, by placing a new order with MBDA. Such a decision would preserve combat parity while shifting procurement toward European suppliers and reducing reliance on U.S. armaments. For the Hellenic Air Force, maintaining long-range engagement capability, beyond 150 kilometers, is considered critical to ensuring deterrence and operational effectiveness in both the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, the AIM-120D is currently the most advanced version of the AMRAAM family in operational service, produced by Raytheon.
Compared to earlier variants, the AIM-120D introduces a two-way datalink for in-flight updates, a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, and improved electronic protection for operations in dense jamming environments. The missile keeps the AMRAAM’s dimensions, 3.66 meters in length, 178 millimeters in diameter, and around 160 kilograms in launch weight, and uses a solid-fuel rocket motor capable of reaching speeds close to Mach 4. Its active radar seeker allows true “fire-and-forget” performance, freeing pilots to disengage or pursue new targets. The AIM-120D can reach estimated ranges of 160 to 180 kilometers depending on altitude and flight profile, and its high off-boresight capability enables engagements against agile opponents from multiple angles. Upgraded electronics and circuit boards give it a wider no-escape zone, while maintaining compatibility across a range of aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35. For Greece, integration with the F-35’s avionics and mission data systems would allow a seamless introduction into the fleet once deliveries begin.
Athens is also looking beyond the AIM-120D toward future weapons such as the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), which is being developed by Lockheed Martin to eventually replace the AMRAAM. The JATM is designed for a greater range, estimated at over 200 kilometers, and a higher top speed near Mach 5, while remaining compatible with F-22, F/A-18E/F, F-35, and F-15EX aircraft. The program was launched in 2017 to counter the increasing reach of Chinese and Russian missiles, with flight testing starting in 2020. Both the U.S. Air Force and Navy rank the AIM-260 as their top air-launched weapon priority, though delays in integration have pushed its entry into service beyond the original timeline. For the 2026 fiscal year, the U.S. military budget allocates around $687 million for JATM development and procurement. Greece’s interest in this missile reflects a desire to stay aligned with future NATO capabilities and ensure that its new F-35As can carry the most advanced weapons available once the system becomes export-ready.
The country’s F-35A procurement forms the centerpiece of its airpower modernization strategy. The 3.47 billion euro contract signed in July 2024 includes twenty aircraft, two spare engines, four simulators, pilot and technician training, and four years of Full Operational Support, with weapons purchases handled under separate contracts. Deliveries will begin in 2028, with the first jets remaining in the United States for training before joining the 117th Fighter Wing at Andravida Air Base in the early 2030s. The U.S. State Department has already approved a potential sale of up to forty F-35s valued at $8.6 billion, and a separate $17.2 million agreement was signed in May 2025 to cover technical assistance through 2028. Furthermore, it was reported in September 2025 that Athens could purchase 8 to 12 additional F-35s following delays in the upgrade of 38 F-16 Block 50s. Infrastructure upgrades at Andravida, covering secure facilities, navigation, and mission-data systems, are already underway to prepare for the introduction of the fifth-generation aircraft.
The Hellenic Air Force currently operates 24 Rafale F3R fighters delivered between 2022 and early 2025, armed with Meteor, MICA, SCALP, and AM39 Exocet missiles under contracts totaling roughly 3.6 billion euros. These aircraft, who replaces older Mirage 2000s, complement the country’s 83 upgraded F-16 Vipers, which will form the backbone of operations for the rest of the decade. The modernization of 38 F-16 Block 50s, valued at about 900 million euros after revisions, will be carried out at Hellenic Aerospace Industry facilities, ensuring domestic expertise and job retention. Greek defense officials have ruled out additional Rafale purchases for now, noting that the combined F-35, F-16V, and Rafale fleets provide sufficient balance for current and future requirements. This structure is designed to guarantee a credible deterrent posture and maintain interoperability with allied air forces across southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Athens is also exploring new technologies to support its fighter modernization. Discussions are underway with the United States on potential participation in Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programs, which pair crewed fighters with autonomous drones capable of conducting surveillance, electronic warfare, and strike missions. Congress has already approved funding of between $500 million and $3.1 billion over four years for the development of these autonomous systems, opening opportunities for international collaboration. In parallel, the Hellenic Air Force is assessing the APKWS II laser-guided rocket as a low-cost anti-drone weapon for its F-16s and helicopters. By converting existing 70mm Hydra rockets into precision munitions effective between 5 and 8 kilometers, the system provides a practical counter to small or swarming drones. Each F-16 could carry up to six rocket pods with a total of 42 guided rockets, while helicopters from the Army and Navy could also employ the same weapon to counter unmanned threats efficiently without relying on expensive air-to-air missiles.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
