Greece Extends Agreement with the US for Stationing MQ-9 Drones at its Air Base

Greece has extended its agreement with the United States to deploy MQ-9 drones at Larissa Air Base (110th Fighter Wing) for another year, until July 2025. This was reported by Ekathimerini.

The UAVs have been based at Larissa for the past five years, and since autumn 2022 - on a permanent basis.

The extension of the contract is a clear indication that the United States attaches great importance to the base in Greece for surveillance missions that essentially cover the entire Eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa. The MQ-9s have a range of about 1,850 kilometres.

The drones are obviously also accompanied by dozens of people who operate and maintain them.

It is worth noting that in the past, there have been discussions between Athens and Washington about the possibility that the Greek Air Force would first lease and then purchase some of the MQ-9s stationed at Larissa Air Base. However, these plans have been shelved.

Earlier, it became known that Greece had signed an agreement to purchase F-35s from the United States.

Initially, the Greek Air Force will purchase 20 F-35 fighters worth €3.47 billion.

The delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2028, and the first four will remain in the US until 2030 for training. Deliveries are expected to be completed by 2033.

In addition, Athens has the option to order 20 more F-35s, and plans to exercise this option after 2030.

The package also includes two spare engines, four trainers, various materials, equipment and training services. It includes the Follow-On Support (FOS) programme, which will begin with the delivery of the first fighter jets and end in 2033.