Cyprus-Forum.com

[Piratis]

Why Greece continues to buy military equipment from the USA? The Americans do not treat us in a fair way in the case of the Cyprus problem and FYROM.

Greece should start buying from elsewhere!

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The Pentagon on Wednesday signed off on a $3.1 billion sale of 40 F-16 fighter planes to Greece.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the deal, which is not yet final. The agency said the sale would help U.S. interests by strengthening a friendly country without affecting Cyprus-related negotiations.

"The government of Greece needs these capabilities for mutual defense, regional security, modernization, U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) interoperability," the agency said. Congress has the power to block foreign military sales but rarely steps in.

The $3.1 billion deal includes 40 aircraft and a wide range of associated equipment like night vision goggles, radar and bombs. Major contractors include Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT), which makes the F-16, along with Raytheon Co. (RTN), United Technologies Corp. (UTX), BAE Systems PLC (BA.LN), Boeing Co. (BA), Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) and L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (LLL).

The defense agency said it expects the purchase will include offset agreements, which some countries require to keep trade flows balanced. Greece will work out specific agreements in negotiations with the contractors, the agency said.

[JustAnAmerican]

I think you should buy elsewhere too, but Greece can not afford Mig-25s and Mirage IIIs. Also remember the USG did not specifically sell these planes to Greece as a form of US policy. Greece bought these planes from McDonald Douglas, the Pentagon and the USG congress merely approve of disapprove the sale.

[Sotos]

Greece can not afford Mig-25s and Mirage IIIs

Are they more expensive? Shouldn't the Migs be cheaper? Which one of the three is the best?

[JustAnAmerican]

I think the problem with the other planes is more the language conversion. All of the instruments, gauges, and all of the manuals would need to be translated to Greek or English.
All of the existing training of the mechanics would now need to be revamped.

Are those planes better? If the function of these planes is to be more of a deterrent, they will do just fine.

[Piratis]

I think you should buy elsewhere too

I am not sure the American military industry that finances Bush would agree with you. Greece is not a big country but it spends a lot for such kind of imports. I don't think your military industry would be very glad to loose this market.

[JustAnAmerican]

Piratis,
Bush’s primary financial base is not from military industries. You may want to check the last few years of popularity polls, but the US Armed Forces DO NOT support President Bush personally either. They do however have to respect the office and “Agree” with the leadership.
For years now the White House Administration’s policy in Iraq has taken more husbands and fathers away from their families, never to return. Believe me the 55 year-old grandmother does not give a damn about Iraq, but she does know there is not much to gain for the average American with a successful war in Iraq. It won’t affect gasoline prices and it won’t affect her well being.
The small- arms industry supported Bush when he re-elected because he was anti-gun control. Sure the Iraq War has helped the weapon system industries with sales. But Bush was invading Iraq, whether or not he was supported by anyone. The FBI and the Department of State realized any effort in Iraq would only make us loose focus on Afghanistan. They tried to argue their point many times.
Read Louis Freeh:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312321899/002-4661665-3606468?v=glance&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance

Bottom line, Greece could buy 160 F-16s and it would still not better their regional relations.