Greece and the US are in talks to extend their defence deals by five years, instead of one-year renewals now in force, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

"We are discussing a five-year extension to the defence cooperation agreement, so that we don't have to renew it on an annual basis," Mitsotakis told a news conference at the Thessaloniki International Fair.

There would be a "more important US presence in our country, possibly in areas where they currently do not have a presence," he said, without elaborating.

Mitsotakis added that Greek-US strategic cooperation "is at its best level ever".

In 2019, Athens and Washington signed a defence agreement allowing US forces a broader use of Greek military facilities during a visit by then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

This however "does not shut the door to other strategic agreements", the premier said on Sunday, citing an ongoing "very close" relationship with France.

Greece and France in January signed a 2.5-billion-euro ($3 billion) deal for 18 Rafale jets — 12 used and six new — as part of a burgeoning arms programme to counter Turkish challenges in the eastern Mediterranean.

On Saturday, Mitsotakis said Greece would "soon" purchase an additional six Rafales.

"The first among them will be flying in Greek skies before the end of the year," the PM said, without giving further detail.

The announcement was welcomed Sunday by French Defence Minister Florence Parly, who tweeted: "Together, we are making progress in constructing true European autonomy."

Athens also supports efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to improve the EU's independent operational capabilities, Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

Macron will visit Athens on Friday for a meeting of the Med7 summit of southern EU countries.

Greece spends more than two percent of its national output on defence, the PM said.

Mitsotakis last year announced Greece's most ambitious arms spending programme in two decades, including 15,000 additional troops, frigates, missiles and warplanes.

France confirms deal with Greece for six more Rafale fighters: defence ministry
Paris (AFP) Sept 12, 2021 –

France on Sunday confirmed that Greece had agreed to buy six more of its Rafale jets, bringing to 24 the number of French fighters sold to Athens for billions of euros.

"Excellent news: Greece has just announced its intention to acquire six additional Rafales. Together, we are working to build true European autonomy," French Defence Minister Florence Parly tweeted.

Greece was the first European country to buy the combat jets made by Dassault Aviation.

In January, Athens placed an order for 18 of the planes, 12 of them second-hand, in a 2.5-billion-euro deal aimed at boosting Greece's defences faced with growing tensions with neighbouring Turkey.

On Saturday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis revealed plans to acquire an additional six Rafales.

"I announced the purchase of 18 Rafale. Soon there will be 24," he said during the Thessaloniki International Fair, adding that the first aircraft, a second-hand model from France's own airforce, would be flying Greek colours "before the end of the year".

France has struggled to find takers for its warplanes among its EU neighbours.

In May, Croatia became only the second European country to buy Rafales, opting for 12 previously used aircraft.

Qatar, Egypt and India are Dassault's biggest Rafale clients.