Greece–US: what the defence package of up to $4bn includes
The official text confirms the total. Reuters sources add F-16 upgrades and weapons for F-16s, F-35s and Black Hawks, without a published itemised contract list.
Update, 8 October 2026, 18:55 EEST — What changed: Two senior sources at the Greek defence and foreign ministries described to Reuters the contents of the Foreign Military Sales package of up to $4 billion that had already been announced officially during the Greece–US Strategic Dialogue.
Systems described by the sources
According to the defence-ministry source cited by Reuters, the package includes upgrading older Greek F-16s to the Viper configuration and buying new advanced missiles and bombs for F-16 Vipers, F-35s and Black Hawk helicopters.
Reuters notes that Greece is already upgrading about 82 F-16s to the Viper standard and wants to upgrade another 37 Block 50 aircraft at an estimated cost of about $1 billion. Greece had also agreed in 2024 to buy 20 F-35s and 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The new report does not mean that all of these earlier procurements are new orders placed on 8 October.
What is official and what comes from sources
The official joint statement and the Greek government spokesperson’s briefing confirm the total value of FMS sales and the provision of Stryker vehicles, but do not itemise the weapons systems. The details about F-16s, missiles and bombs come from the two unnamed senior Reuters sources and are not presented as a published contract.
The same sources said most of the procurements were already included in the multi-year defence plan and that the cost would be spread over several years. A system-by-system price, delivery schedule and the individual acts that would make each procurement binding have not yet been published.
$4 billion in FMS defence sales
The joint statement says the two countries announced military-equipment sales through the FMS programme with a total value of $4 billion, in support of Greece’s long-term defence planning and greater interoperability. It also records an intention to explore cooperation between the two countries’ defence industries, including in innovative technologies.
What the figure means: it is the announced value of defence sales, not a cash grant or a $4 billion payment to Greece. This section of the joint statement does not provide an itemised list of systems, a financing arrangement or a delivery timetable.
Stryker armoured vehicles
The official text also says Greece’s participation in the State Partnership Program with Florida was finalised and that interoperability was strengthened through the provision of Stryker armoured vehicles to Greece. It does not state the number or variant of vehicles or a delivery timetable.
The meeting at the Maximos Mansion
According to the official briefing note, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in defence and security, energy security, trade, investment, technology, shipping, education and culture. They also exchanged views on Ukraine, Iran, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The prime minister referred to Greece’s role as an entry point for US LNG into Europe, connectivity projects, Greek shipping and Greece’s participation in the EU’s EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation. The note does not announce a new contract, funding commitment or binding timetable resulting from the evening meeting.
The counterterrorism memorandum
Marco Rubio announced a new memorandum establishing a joint Greece–US security programme. According to his public statement, it is intended to strengthen counterterrorism information sharing between the two countries' competent law-enforcement agencies. Reuters and ERTnews reported the development independently.
What remains unknown: the memorandum's full text has not been published on an official Greek or US website. The participating agencies, information categories, data-protection safeguards, duration and start date are therefore not presented as established facts.
Energy and the Vertical Corridor
George Gerapetritis described the Vertical Corridor as a principal route for transporting US liquefied natural gas to Central and Eastern Europe. He also said that the Greek-owned merchant fleet transports more than 20% of LNG to global markets and referred to US energy companies in offshore exploration in Greece.
The official statement records the Greek side's policy priorities. It does not announce a new energy contract, budget or binding project timetable.
Letter of intent with the Florida National Guard
Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Dimitrios Choupis and Florida National Guard commander Major General John Haas signed a letter of intent in the presence of Nikos Dendias and Marco Rubio. According to the Greek Defence Ministry, the signature formalises Greece's entry into the US State Partnership Program and creates a long-term cooperation framework.
The official announcement lists joint training and exercises, interoperability, command and control, joint fires and tactical manoeuvres, logistics, air defence and air operations, disaster response, space and cyber operations.
Stage of the arrangement: this is a letter of intent. The ministry has not published its full text, while an annual programme, visits and individual joint training activities are described as next steps. No budget or implementation calendar was announced.
Recognition of US seafarer certificates
During the same Strategic Dialogue, an intergovernmental agreement was signed in Athens on 7 October for Greece to recognise seafarer certificates of competency issued by the competent US authorities. The Greek Maritime Ministry links the recognition to the 1978 STCW Convention on seafarer training, certification and watchkeeping.
Greece was represented by Secretary General for Shipping and Ports Emmanouil Koutoulakis. The covered ranks and specialties, start date, supporting documents and application procedure have not yet been published. The signature is therefore not presented as an administrative service that is already open to applicants.
Public positions on regional security
Rubio described Greece as a strong NATO ally and linked the new cooperation to threats he attributed to mass migration and human trafficking. This is the US secretary of state's political assessment, not a finding of an independent investigation.
Gerapetritis said Greece was willing to cooperate with the United States and offer maritime assistance in the Strait of Hormuz if there were a viable peace process. The statement is conditional and does not by itself constitute an announced operational decision.
The speech at the Pnyx
Earlier, Rubio spoke at the Pnyx and linked ancient Greek ideas of honour, duty and loyalty to one’s nation with the Trump administration’s “America First” policy. This was a political position by the US secretary of state, not a new bilateral decision. His itinerary continues in Lisbon after Athens.
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