Greece Explores Affordable Indian Tech Like Astra Missile for its Rafale Fleet, Seeking Potent Alternatives to Costly European Systems

Greece is showing significant interest in incorporating Indian defence technologies into its fleet of French-made Rafale fighter jets, marking a potential deepening of defence cooperation between the two nations.

This exploration could involve integrating advanced Indian avionics, software, structural components, and weapon systems, such as the Astra air-to-air missile and the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). These systems are already being added to the Indian Air Force's (IAF) own Rafale aircraft.

This move comes as Greece seeks innovative, cost-effective solutions for modernising its air force, having received all 24 of its ordered Rafale jets between 2021 and 2024.

The Hellenic Air Force's acquisition of the Dassault Rafale, a versatile twin-engine fighter, commenced under a government agreement in January 2021. The initial delivery included 18 aircraft – six new models built to the F3-R standard and 12 pre-owned jets from the French Air and Space Force. An additional six new Rafales arrived in 2024, bolstering Greece's defence posture in the Eastern Mediterranean amid regional tensions.

However, the high cost associated with French armaments, notably the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), and the limited range of the older MICA missile system, have led Greece to investigate more affordable yet capable alternatives.

Reports indicate that Greece views India, with its rapidly developing indigenous defence sector, as a potential partner to lessen its reliance on expensive European weapon systems. Integrating Indian technology could offer Greece greater operational flexibility for its Rafale fleet and potentially foster a beneficial technological partnership between the countries.

India's expanding aerospace capabilities present several appealing options for Greece. The IAF, which inducted its 36 Rafale jets between 2020 and 2022, is already integrating domestic systems onto these platforms, offering a potential model for Greek adoption. Among the key Indian technologies being considered are:

• Astra Missile: Developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra Mk-1 is an advanced BVRAAM with a reported range exceeding 100 km, designed for high agility. It is already integrated with the IAF's Su-30MKI fighters and planned for its Rafale and Tejas aircraft. The Astra is seen as a significantly more economical option compared to the Meteor missile, which, while having a longer range (over 200 km), reportedly costs upwards of ₹25 crore per unit. The Astra, estimated at ₹7-8 crore per unit, offers a way for Greece to diversify its missile inventory affordably. Future versions, like the Astra Mk-2 (expected range 160+ km) and the ramjet-powered Mk-3, are also under development.
• Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW): This precision-guided glide bomb, also developed by DRDO, has a range of 100 km and is designed to disable enemy runways, bunkers, and other critical infrastructure. Its successful integration onto IAF Rafales highlights India's capability to adapt its weapons to sophisticated foreign aircraft, potentially enhancing Greece's ground-attack capabilities.
• Avionics and Software: India is making strides in aircraft electronics, including the development of the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and advanced mission computers. These could potentially offer Greece upgrades or supplements to the Rafale's existing radar systems. Custom software development could also provide Greece greater operational independence and reduce dependency on French permissions for future system modifications.
• Structural Components: Indian companies, including state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private firms like Tata Advanced Systems, possess considerable expertise in manufacturing aerospace parts. They could potentially supply Greece with competitively priced structural elements or spare parts, improving the long-term sustainability of its Rafale fleet.

Greece's interest is driven by both financial considerations and strategic goals. The high cost of systems like the Meteor missile presents a challenge as the country balances defence upgrades with economic management.

Simultaneously, the older MICA missile, with its 60-80 km range, is becoming less effective against modern aerial threats. The Indian Astra missile could offer a capable middle ground.

Furthermore, collaborating with India could enhance Greece's strategic independence. Diversifying its defence suppliers reduces reliance on a single source like France, mitigating potential risks from supply chain issues or geopolitical changes.

India's own experience in integrating indigenous technology onto the Rafale platform provides a tested path that Greece might emulate, possibly negotiating for more flexibility with the manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, for future upgrades.

This current interest follows earlier reports from June 2024 suggesting Greece proposed joint Rafale procurement negotiations with India to strengthen their bargaining position with France. While that focused on acquisition, the present focus on technological integration signifies a potentially deeper, long-term partnership.

For India, successfully exporting systems like the Astra or SAAW for use on Greek Rafales would be a significant achievement for its "Make in India" initiative and could pave the way for similar deals with other Rafale operators, including Egypt, Qatar, and Indonesia, thereby expanding India's global defence footprint.

 

India Deploys S-400 Air Defence System Near Siliguri Corridor Amid Heightened Chinese and Bangladeshi Aerial Activities

AVNL Offers Customized Russian Sprut with T-90 Firepower for Indian Army's High-Altitude Light Tank Procurement, Challenging DRDO-L&T's Zorawar

[Radha Ramanan]

Wrong information that Greece has not been given Meteor missiles.

Greece has been supplied Meteor missiles.

The countries that have not been given Meteor for Rafales are Egypt, due to American and Israeli pressure. That would have given Egypt an unfair advantage over Israel in air combat against conventional fighters like the F-16 and the F-15 armed with old AMRAAM missiles, which are the mainstay of the Israeli Air Force. Egypt is just another jihadi country, it being the country where the Islamic Brotherhood terrorist idea was born. Just see how Egypt has massed tanks and armoured columns and infantry on the Israeli-Egyptian-Gaza border to threaten Israel, they are all the same.Turkey is trying to get Meteor missiles by ordering Typhoon Eurofighters, and there is strong opposition from Greece and France towards supplying it Meteor missiles. Turkey is desperate to get Meteors and Eurofighters to counter the advantage Greece has over it in air warfare.

Greece may be interested in Indian modifications, but it is wrong to quote that the Indian Uttam radar can be integrated onto the Rafale. France will never allow that, that is wishful thinking. When India asked for the Meteor to be integrated onto the Mirage 2000, they quoted a very huge sum just for that, and the matter was dropped. India is in no way superior to France in radar technology.

Maybe Astra, SAAW, and other arms may be integrated, that's all.

 

[Somebody]

Does Indian Rafale's have Indian components, then how come Greece’s Rafale will have.

 

[divine]

India must concentrate on its own production of air-to-air missiles, because if it develops a wide range of missile types, it will open up a very buoyant market, where an Astra-type missile with a range which, in the future, will compete with the Meteor at the ‘Make in India’ price will be a very competitive product.

 

[beencensured]

India must concentrate on its own production of air-to-air missiles, because if it develops a wide range of missile types, it will open up a very buoyant market, where an Astra-type missile with a range which, in the future, will compete with the Meteor at the ‘Make in India’ price will be a very competitive product.

Astra Mk3 will compete with Meteor, and Astra Mk2 will be almost comparable, but not Astra Mk1 as range is much different. What Astra offers is a reliable BVR at lesser cost and future upgradation.

 

[Sambit Ranjan]

From when on did France allow India to integrate Uttam Aesa Radar in Rafales?

 

[Akshat]

Does Indian Rafale's have Indian components, then how come Greece’s Rafale will have.

Oh they do. Massive amount of components are being sourced by france from India. Plus MoU has already been signed for integrating our own weapons on it. Problem is that DRDO made/developed weapons are just too expensive.