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The French government is ready to sell a new generation of frigates to Greece, and is even mulling the idea that some of them be constructed in the country, according to visiting French Defense Minister Florence Parly.

Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly signed a contract today for Athens' purchase of 18 Rafale fighter jets.

The addition of the French war planes to the Greek Air Force fleet has been touted as giving the Greek Air Force a strategic boost in its deterrent force at a time of heightened tensions with Turkey.

France will put in proposals to supply new frigates to Greece, which is building up its armed forces during a period of  tension with its neighbour and NATO partner, the French defence minister said on Monday.

French Defense Minister Florence Parly is expected in Athens on Monday for the signing of the agreement for the purchase by Greece of 18 Dassault-made Rafale jets.

The deal is scheduled to be signed at the Ministry of Defense at 1.35 p.m. Parly will meet with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at 4.30 p.m.

As part of ongoing efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations, French Defense Minister Florence Parly will visit Athens on Monday and sign the agreement for the purchase by Greece of 18 Dassault-made Rafale jets.

Greek MPs approved the purchase of six new and 12 used Rafale aircraft from France for 2.5 billion euros ($3.04 billion) earlier this month.

French Defense Minister Florence Parly will visit Athens on Monday as Greece and France sign a deal for the purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale jets.

Greek MPs approved the purchase of six new and 12 used Rafale aircraft from France for 2.5 billion euros ($3.04 billion) earlier this month.

With the Greek Parliament having successfully voted for the acquisition of 18 Rafale fighter planes from France on Thursday, the government's next priority is the upgrading of the Hellenic Navy, mainly through the acquisition of new frigates and the upgrading of existing ones.

Parliament on Thursday approved the purchase of 18 French Rafale fighter jets by an overwhelming majority, with only the Communist Party (KKE) and leftist MeRA25 voting against.

The purchase of the jets and compatible air-to-air Meteor missiles are expected set Greece back 2.3 billion euros.

Greek lawmakers approved the purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale jets from France for 2.5 billion euros ($3.04 billion) on Thursday, in a deal due to be signed by the Greek and French defence ministers later this month.

Greek lawmakers are scheduled to vote Thursday on a defense procurement program to purchase 18 French-made Rafale fighter planes, part of an armaments plan announced by the government in September.