First six Rafale fighters land at Tanagra Airport

PM Mitsotakis: "Flight allowances are exempt from any tax"

Six Rafale fighters arrived today in Greece, the first that the country receives after the defense agreement with France.

The first fighter landed at 12:45 in the 114th Battle Wing. Welcoming the aircraft, the control tower said: “Welcome to your new home. Good landings safely “. For his part, the leader of the Rafale swarm said: “332 Squadron flies into the future.”

After landing at the 114th Battle Wing, the aircrafts were welcomed under an arch of water and headed to the area in front of the political and military leadership where their crews disembarked.

PM Mitsotakis: “Flight allowances are exempt from any tax”

The Greek Prime Minister said that Greece is changing both defensively and diplomatically. Mr. Mitsotakis said that in 2022 the second six fighters will come and in 2023 the rest of the 24 aircrafts.

He described the Rafale as a power multiplier and stressed that the new Rafale are ready to take off for a new better tomorrow for the whole region. They will soon operate next to new French frigates, he said and added that the new aviation training center is being inaugurated in Kalamata. The Prime Minister announced that from now on flight and diving allowances are exempt from any tax. He described it as a minimal sign of gratitude to those on the front lines.

He closed his speech wishing good flights to the new Rafale pilots to protect Greece and Europe.