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It will take 10 years for mass production - It is superior to the F-35, Turkish analysts say

The American Hellenic Institute (ΑΗΙ), led by President Nick Larigakis released a statement on Monday strongly opposing the recent US decision to sell F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to Turkey while highlighting the importance of F-35 sales to Greece.

US President Joe Biden's administration on Friday formally informed Congress of its intention to proceed with a $8.6-billion deal to sell 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets to Greece.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken opened his latest Mideast tour with two stops in Greece and Turkey, with a double mission in mind: Confirming the two NATO allies' commitment to US priorities in the region - a task that is easier for Athens and trickier for Ankara - and making sure that the improvement in relations between the two neighbors and traditional foes seen in recent months continu

Amid the ongoing delay regarding the sail of F-35 fighter jets to Greece, Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) Executive Director Endy Zemenides said in a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the progress of Greek-American relations should not be affected by the dysfunctional relationship observed between Washington and Ankara.

Romania plans to buy 32 latest-generation F-35 fighter jets from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin for 6.5 billion dollars, the defense ministry announced on Tuesday. 

Bucharest increased its defense spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product this year from 2 percent last year in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

On Thursday at noon, Athenian visitors and residents heard a deafening noise, which, as some may have noticed, came from three fleeting F-35 aircraft of the United States Air Force.

The F-35s had a permit to fly over the Acropolis at a 5,000 feet altitude.

The US State Department has approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets and related ammunition and equipment to the Czech Republic, the Pentagon announced yesterday, as quoted by Reuters.

The deal is worth 5.62 billion dollars.

Washington's concern over upsetting Turkey and jeopardizing Sweden's NATO membership appears to have drawn the Greek F-35 issue into the mix, delaying the official congressional notification, Kathimerini understands, until after the Vilnius Summit in July.

The Greek Defense Ministry is expected to decide next week whether Athens will propose to Lockheed Martin the inclusion of SSI (security, supply, information) and infrastructure programs in the F-35 fighter jets package with the participation of the Greek defense industry.