Greece signs, sends acceptance letter to US for 20 F-35 jets

​​​​​​​By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Greece announced Thursday that it signed and sent a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for 20 F-35 jets to the US.

"We proceeded with the dispatch of this letter which marks the start of negotiations for the contract, which I hope will be concluded soon,” Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said during a visit to a visit to the Elefsina Air Base in western Athens.

“We are building a powerful military force by purchasing the most advanced fighter jet in the world,” he said.

“Today, the Greece government finalized its intention to procure 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) through a U.S. government Foreign Military Sale. The LOA also includes an option for 20 additional aircraft,” Lockheed Martin, the jets’ manufacturer confirmed.

The Greek Air Force will acquire 20 F-35 fighter jets for €3.47 billion ($ 3.77 billion) under the deal, whose full details and content were not revealed.​​​​​​​