Apostolos Tomaras
Athens has deployed some of the most advanced fighter aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force to Cyprus in a move aimed at reinforcing the air defense umbrella of the Republic of Cyprus.
The four F-16 Block 52+ Advanced fighter jets, stationed since Monday afternoon at the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos, represent the spearhead of Greece’s aerial military capabilities. The aircraft are an upgraded version of the Block 52 platform and are currently undergoing modernization to the “Viper” configuration, an upgrade that includes the installation of the AESA APG-83 radar, allowing full interoperability with fifth-generation fighter jets.
The jets operate under the 335th and 336th Squadrons of the 116th Combat Wing, based at Araxos Air Base in Greece.
Βίντεο: Τα ελληνικά F16 στην Κύπρο pic.twitter.com/hpOx5pDPJw
— Kathimerini_Web (@KathimeriniWeb) March 2, 2026
The Block 52+ Advanced
The F-16C/D Block 52+ Advanced, also known as the Block 52M, is an enhanced version of the Block 52+. The Advanced configuration significantly expands the aircraft’s operational range, as additional fuel tanks increase its mission radius — a capability designed to meet the operational needs of the Hellenic Air Force beyond the geographical limits of the Aegean.
Technical characteristics:
- Crew: 1 pilot (C model), 2 pilots (D model)
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229
- Thrust: 29,100 pounds
- Wingspan: 9.96 meters
- Length: 15.06 meters
- Maximum speed: 2,173 km/h (Mach 2.05)
- Maximum altitude: 15,240 meters (50,000 feet)
The aircraft’s main advantage over earlier F-16 versions lies in its advanced electronic systems, particularly the Link 16 data link, which enables real-time information sharing with other military units. An upgraded onboard computer allows faster data processing and more efficient weapons management.
Its APG-68(V)9 radar increases target detection range, while the pilot’s helmet-mounted system enables targets to be locked simply through the pilot’s line of sight, significantly improving response time during combat operations.
Weapons systems
- The F-16 Block 52+ Advanced is equipped with a wide range of modern weapons, including:
- AIM-120C-5/7 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles
- IRIS-T and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles
- AGM-154C JSOW stand-off weapons for striking heavily protected targets
- Laser-guided and GPS-guided precision bombs
- GPS-guided munitions for fixed-target strikes
- AGM-88B HARM missiles for suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD missions)
- AGM-65G Maverick missiles capable of destroying armored vehicles and naval targets
