The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is progressing with plans to transform Andravida Air Base in the northwest Peloponnese into the country’s most advanced military facility, designed to host its incoming fleet of F-35 fighter jets.
Key discussions were held on Tuesday between Greek military officials and representatives from US defense contractor Lockheed Martin, who are currently in Athens to review the next steps in the base’s modernization.
A few weeks ago, a team of American officials visited Andravida to inspect the base’s infrastructure. Meanwhile, a task force established by HAF is managing the ongoing upgrades to the 117th Combat Wing, which is stationed at Andravida.
As part of its preparations, the HAF team has visited international F-35 bases to gather expertise for implementation at Andravida. A similar process was followed for the F-16 Viper upgrades, though US requirements for F-35 base security and infrastructure are more stringent and must be fully met before the fifth-generation jets can arrive.
HAF has outlined the necessary requirements and studies, with completion expected by 2025. The country’s air force is in the process of selecting contractors for the project, with one of the first steps being the selection of sites for new aircraft hangars and the F-35 squadron building. These facilities may be newly constructed, alongside planned expansions and renovations of existing structures.
US officials are placing significant focus on base security. Andravida, currently home to F-4 Phantom fighters, was built in the 1950s and will undergo extensive upgrades, including a reinforced perimeter with double fencing and a modern network of sensors and cameras to monitor activity around the base. Additional upgrades will improve communications and electronics, including fiber-optic networks, and renovations will be made to the control tower, aircraft support areas, and runways. Anti-flood and fire protection measures will also be incorporated.
HAF aims to begin major construction in 2026, with the project budget capped at €300 million. US officials from the Joint Program Office (JPO), which oversees the F-35 program, will monitor all stages of development and certify the completed infrastructure.
The project’s completion is expected by the late 2020s. Although the first F-35 is due to be delivered to HAF in early 2028, the first six aircraft will remain in the US for pilot and technician training. If the 117th Combat Wing is not ready by then, the jets will remain in the US until the base is fully prepared, as has been the case in similar projects globally.