Greece approves deal with US to upgrade dozens of F-16 fighter jets

Greece on Saturday approved a deal with the United States to upgrade dozens of its F-16 fighter jets at a cost of roughly €1.2 billion ($1.45 billion), Reuters reports. The bailed-out country said the measure would not harm its future fiscal progress. The potential deal to overhaul the aircraft came to light during a visit by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to the White House in October. Greece’s top decision-making body on foreign affairs and defense matters, KYSEA, unanimously sealed the agreement for the upgrade on Saturday, according to the premier’s press office. Three of the 85 jets earmarked for modernization will be upgraded in the US while the rest will be refurbished in Greece, a Defense Ministry source in Athens said.