US-Greek relations — September brief by the Transatlantic Periscope

The Transatlantic Periscope is an interactive, multimedia tool that brings together expert commentary, high-quality media coverage, official policy documents, quantitative data, social media posts, and gray literature. It will provide on a monthly basis a summary of the most important news concerning the Greek-US relations, as reflected in the media. Below you will find an overview for September 2024.

US interest in utilizing Alexandroupoli as a key liquified natural gas (LNG) transportation hub was highlighted by the agreement reached between the American company Venture Global and the Greek company Gastrade on September 17. According to this agreement, Venture Global will store its LNG in 25% of the total capacity of the new floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). One million metric tons of LNG per year from Venture Global’s terminals in Louisiana will be unloaded at the Alexandroupoli FSRU facilities to be regasified and channeled through the Greek pipelines to the markets of Southeast Europe, thus strengthening the region’s security of supply.

On the defence front, according to Reuters, the Greek government plans to buy Switchblade drones from the United States to further strengthen its armed forces. Vassilis Nedos (Kathimerini) reports that the Defense Ministry’s decision to procure US-manufactured Switchblade-type roving ammunition for the Special Warfare Command will soon head to Parliament for approval. The total cost amounts to US$75 million, of which the US will cover US$50 million, with Greece bearing the remaining US$25 million.

Still on the defence front, in an interview with Kathimerini’s Stavros Ioannidis. J.R. McDonald, Lockheed Martin’s Vice President for F-35 Business Development, confirmed that the Greek F-35 program is on track, with the signing of the contract between Lockheed Martin and the US government for the start of production expected to take place next. Greece initially aims to acquire a squadron of 20 fighter jets, with an option to procure an additional 20 F-35s after 2030.

More at: https://transatlanticperiscope.org/relationship/GR#