"The Hellenic Hammer" Thread For The Discussion Of The Greek Air Subtree

[I_MiikaL_I]

Hello, this thread will be revolving around sources, information and general discussion for the recently announced Greek and Cypriot Subtree for Israel. The initial post will revolve around some highlights of this Subtree and how they’ll be added to War Thunder, Starting off with the Greek (Hellenic) Air Force’s top additions:

HAF Dassault Rafale-EG -

In 2021, Greece saw delivery of their first Rafale EG aircraft, the first batch of these were old French Rafale F.3s modified for F.3R standards, while later batches were manufactured at the F.3R standard, The Greeks totalled a purchase of 24 aircraft, with 18 single-seater Rafale EGs and 6 two-seaters Rafale DGs.

Specifications

Functionally Identical to the French Rafale we see in War Thunder:

Length: 15.27 m
Wingspan: 10.90 m
Height: 5.34 m
Wing Loading: 310 kg/m
Engines: 2 x SNECMA M88-2 (Each Maximum Thrust - 4,900 kgf/Afterburner Thrust - 7,330 kgf)
Max takeoff weight: 24,500 kg

Armaments

Again, should be Functionally Identical to French Rafale in game:

AAMs: Magic-2 (for balance), MICA-EM, MICA-IR (when added), Meteor BVRAAM (when added)
Cannon: NEXTER 30mm autocannon
Bombs/AGMs: GBU 12/16/24, AASM Hammer series

Avionics

Radar - RBE2 AA AESA/IRST
Defensive Suite - SPECTRA ECM/DASS
Additional Avionics: MAWs, ECM, 360 RWR, CMs

Overall, the Greek Rafale should be functionally identical to the current one we see in game, and personally I expect the buffs made to the French one to carry over here (Primarily the 8x MICA Loadout), this will give Israel some amazing variety to their top tier aircraft, and will act as a nice change of pace from the F-16/F-15s of the last couple of years and offer Israel a taste of power in the upper echelons of Air RB, while providing an immensely capable CAS platform to compliment aircraft like the F-16I and F-15I, and the main vehicle I am looking forward to with this Subtree.

HAF Dassault Mirage 2000-5EG -

In 2000, Greece signed a contract for 15 new Mirage 2000-5Mk2s, with an extra 10 older airframes being modified to new standard (M2K-5EGM). The €1.3 billion Mirage contract also consisted of weapons and equipment, as well as industrial offsets that permitted Hellenic Aviation Industries to keep producing the SNECMA M53-P2 engines.

Specification

Length: 14.36 m
Wingspan: 9.13 m
Height: 5.2 m
Wing Loading: 287 kg/m2
Engines: SNECMA M53-P2 (Maximum - 6,200 kgf/Afterburner - 9,690 kgf)
Max takeoff weight: 17,000 kg

Armaments

AAMs: Magic-2 , MICA-EM, MICA-IR (when added)
Cannon: 2x DEFA 554 30mm autocannons
Bombs/AGMs: GBU 12/16/24, PGM-1000/2000, AASM-250 (maybe)

Avionics

Radar - RDY-2 Multimode PD radar
Defensive Suite - ICMS Mk3 digital countermeasures suite
Additional Avionics: MAWs, ECM, 360 RWR, CMs

This’ll be pretty close to the French and Taiwanese Mirage 2000-5s, and equipped with a lot of the CAS options the Taiwanese one lacks, it’ll add another amazing 4th gen airframe to Israel, and some incredible liveries. This jet is another 10/10 Multirole addition for the Subtree, and would bolster Israeli top tier some more.

HAF F-16V Block 72 -

The Hellenic Air Force has had a long history of operating F-16 models, especially the C/D models, and in 2017, America offered the HAF 123 upgrade kits for their pre-existing fleet of Block 50/52s, These new upgrade kits featured new avionics, a new radar, new weapons compatibility, an updated cockpit, and a plethora of other changes to modernise the aging fleet.

Specifications

Specified from the HAF website:

• Crew: 1 (C model), 2 (D model)
• Engine: 1 Pratt & Whitney F100-PW 229/ 29100 lbf thrust
• Wingspan: 9,96 m
• Length: 15,06 m
• Maximum Speed: 2173 km/h or 2,05 Mach
• Service Ceiling: 15,240m or 50,000 ft

Armaments

AAMs: AIM-9M/X, AIM-120C-5/8
Cannon: M61 Vuclan 20mm autocannon
Bombs/AGMs: GBU 12/16/24, AGM-65s, JDAMs, AGM-88 (when added)

Avionics

Radar - AN/APG-83 AESA
Defensive Suite - ALQ-211 (V)4 AIDEWS
Additional Avionics: ECM, All-Freq RWR, 160 CMs

While this may seem very similar to the recent F-16I Sufa, added with Tusk Force, the provisions provided by the Block 72 are a brand new AESA radar, something to bridge the gap between Israeli 4th gens and newer aircraft (Like Rafale EG and F-35I) with a capable AESA option. This will give Israeli Air a viable, yet similar airframe but with newer avionics and a marginally better flight model, making it the ultimate A-A F-16.

Thanks For Reading:
Please feel free to add you own suggestions and discuss the numerous Aircraft I chose not to include (Earlier Mirages, F-16C/D, F-4 Modernised, Mirage F1s, etc), and furthermore the addition to Israel, as i’d like to see your opinions on what is needed vs what’s coming and so on.
Please keep it civil though, on topic discussion encouraged.

[ILuvAnneHathaway]

Best color scheme for the Rafale hands down, the Greek liveries are so peak.

[I_MiikaL_I]

Yeah 100%, the dark grey with blue roundels looks amazing

[MotorolaCRO]

Definitely excited for the copypaste sloppa.

[KAISERLION]

Wouldn’t say best, I personally prefer the Indonesian scheme but the Greek one really is very cool too

[KAISERLION]

The Greek F-4E (Peace Icarus 2000) is another fighter the subtree can give to Israel, providing yet another option for a super upgraded 3rd gen fighter alongside the Kfir C.10, that upgrade includes AIM-120 AMRAAM carriage capability like the F-4F ICE/KWS LV as well as more advanced ground strike capabilities, such as LITENING to guide PGMs. It’s one hell of a cool modification which I’d love to see

[Ripbozo]

LMAO I completely forgot that greece has rafale, and thus Israel gets Rafales too holy shit this is actually hilarious.

The forums are about to turn into a fusion reactor powered by molten nuclear salt and I am so ready to take it all in

[KAISERLION]

Always good to watch the fireworks I suppose, but finally the French might get a taste of their own medicine in the Rafales, as not only Greece but also Indonesia which just had their first Rafale fly irl is getting rolled out to Japan now LMAO

[Vavodica]

+1, Israel needs to be more competitive at top tier and the rafale is perfect for that

[I_MiikaL_I]

Quick update:

With the Thessaloniki Parade yesterday, we’ve seen the debut of Greece’s purchase of SPICE 1000, SPICE 2000 and RAMPAGE munitions for the F-16C/D; in the context of War Thunder, this’ll bring a potential Greek F-16 addition more in line with the unique abilities of Israeli CAS, and the purchase of these munitions showing increased defense ties between the two nations also.

[Nick_Cloud]

If you take on account Israel will get F-15i with AESAAPG-82(v)1 at some point (i don’t go to 5th gens) and 15IA (15EX equivalent) then with Rafale guaranteed in the same team it can be amazing combo.

Greece used to have a problem because we got many types of aircraft at a point…however in game is big plus.
You can even get WW2 things that Israel doesn’t offer … a VERY unique entry t0 …AEKKEA-RAAB R-29 !!! Maybe the only fighter plane developed in Greece!
Then you can get Hurricanes , Spitfire V/iX/XVI , Helldiver , Blenheim Mk I/IV/V Bisley, Bloch MB 151, Fairey Battle , Gladiator MK I/II , Wellington MK13 with ASV radar!
Then goes T-37C(can carry bombs/guns) , F-102A , F-5A and NF-5A (we had some AIM-9L capable as well) , F-84G/F, F-86E(M) , T-33 with guns and bombs , T-2E buckeye (can carry guns/bombs) .
And then starts F-104G , Mirage F.1CG with 4 xAIM-9P4/5 capability (and maybe lower BR than the French with Magic 2 ) , A-7E/H , F-4E /E SRA and E AUP .
By the end you get Mirage 2000EG/EGM (they can carry Exocet as well) , Mirage 2000-5MkII (with A-G capabilities and Exocets) . For F-16C they can go Block 30 , then block 50+ , Block 52M (or Advanced) , then F-16V and it’s very possible to have magic 2 missiles and IRIS-Ts (I’m sure the newer versions can carry IRIS-T and i know that F-16 can carry them and Greece has them).
And then Rafale…

In merge with Israeli TT , it would be very good since it covers many holes and gives more types and variants to play.
Now on the other hand , if you ask me , it will make French tree sub-par if anything…You get Mirages, F-16 (better than the Belgium/NL and in multiple variants) , F-15s and Rafales and the best F-4Es …and NF-5A …