The new Rafale that landed today are ready to take off for a better, more peaceful tomorrow for the entire region, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during a rally marking the arrival of the first six French warplanes. Kathimerini.

The ceremony took place at the Greek Air Force base, in the presence of the Greek Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker, Defense Minister, French Ambassador, and the warplanes, after entering Greek airspace, were accompanied by four Greek Mirages, flew over Athens and over the Acropolis before heading to the base.

From the air traffic control at the military base, the message was sent to the Rafal pilots: "Welcome home", and during the landing they were greeted with water cannons, a religious ritual was held and they were consecrated.

In his speech, the Greek Prime Minister said that the new warplanes have geostrategic significance because "they make the Greek military aviation one of the strongest in Europe and the Mediterranean" and stressed that "for Greece, any strengthening of its defense is an expression of peace."

He added that "with the same determination with which the country closes the door to any threat, it keeps the windows of dialogue open."

At the same time, he said that the fees for flying and diving related to flights, parachute operations, submarines, etc. will be exempt from tax, and the measure applies primarily to the army, but also to the Greek police, fire and coast service.

Another 18 warplanes are due to arrive in Greece, six of them this year, another six in mid-2023, and immediately afterwards the last six Rafal.