According to an announcement by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), in the context of the bilateral military cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia as well as the coordinated effort of the HNDGS and the Saudi Armed Forces General Staff, on Saturday, March 13, 2021, the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), which includes six F-15 aircraft, arrived at the 115th Combat Wing to participate in a joint exercise with the Hellenic Armed Forces.

6 F15C of the Royal Air Force of Saudi Arabia in Souda © HNDGS

The arrival of RSAF fighter jets at the Souda air base was highly honored by the presence of the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Greece, Dr. Saad Alammar.

During the joint training, missions of complex air operations such as Air Superiority / Supremacy, as well as drills on protection – attack on ground and surface targets will be executed.

F-15C of the Royal Air Force of Saudi Arabia © HNDGS

It is worth noting that the F-15C, which belongs to the same category as the Rafale, is a multi-role aircraft ideal for, among other things, Air Superiority missions. It is produced in various versions (A, B, C, E and Advance) and, according to the manufacturer Boeing, the F-15 offers next generation technologies, such as an advanced cockpit, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and digital electronic warfare suite with the fastest mission computer and modern sensors in the world. This aircraft is a twin-engine aircraft with a range of 2222 km (1200nm) and a weapons payload exceeding 13 tons (29500 lb)!

The cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia proves the continuous relationship between the two countries which is demonstrated, among other things, by the recent deployment of the Saudi Defence Attaché in Athens for the first time.

F-15 infograhic © Boeing

Also read: Greece sends Patriot and Air Force personnel in Saudi Arabia

The particularly important presence of the Saudi Armed Forces in Souda is added to, among others, those of the United Arab Emirates, France, the USA and Cyprus and highlights the important role of Crete in consolidating security and stability in the wider region of the Central and Eastern Mediterranean as well as the Middle East.

The continuous upgrade of the strategic value of the island, according to the short-term planning of the HNDGS, is and will continue to be a pole of attraction for the realization of important synergies with even more Allies, friends and partners who wish to practically declare their interest in the particularly strategically important area, with the presence and joint training with the Hellenic Armed Forces.

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