In a strategic move that could redefine its aerial capabilities, Greece is on the verge of selecting a new electronic warfare (EW) suite for its modernized fleet of F-16 fighter jets. A senior L3Harris executive has confirmed the imminence of this decision, amplifying expectations within the defense industry.
Athens first requested „pricing” from industry regarding the acquisition approximately 18 months ago, but „we think that decision [product selection] will come fairly quickly,” David Nyikos, director of international EW programs for airborne combat systems at L3Harris, told Breaking Defense on the sidelines of the International Fighter Conference on Tuesday (November 5, 2025). The Hellenic Republic Ministry of Defence did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.
F-16 Fleet Modernization: An Ambitious Project Underway
As part of a major fighter jet modernization effort, Greece is upgrading 84 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D combat aircraft to the F-16V standard, an advanced version of the iconic fighter jet. This ambitious program, involving a partnership between Lockheed Martin and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), has made significant progress.
According to an F-16 factsheet [PDF], the 42nd upgraded jet was already delivered in September. The overall program is slated for completion in 2027 and involves the integration of Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, among other EW and communications systems. A new order for a state-of-the-art electronic warfare system would further boost these electronic-based capabilities.
Viper Shield: L3Harris’s Digital Solution at a Crossroads
L3Harris positions itself as a strong contender, seeing Greece as the „next likely collaborator” for its Viper Shield AN/ALQ-254 solution. This innovative dual package combines a radar warning receiver and an electronic countermeasure, specifically designed for international customers operating F-16 Block 70/72 or F-16V. L3Harris company literature states that the radar warning receiver allows the fighter jet to detect enemy threats, with the countermeasure acting to jam and disrupt adversary kill chains.
Nyikos emphasized that Viper Shield is the „right fit” for Greece due to its immediate availability and „fully digital” structure. „We’re in production right now … producing hardware that is ready. It also is fit for form in so much as we built it for export from the get go,” he explained.
Following Poland’s Lead: A Regional Partnership and Global Expansion
The L3Harris official indicated that Greece is „likely next” among European F-16 buyers to acquire Viper Shield, following Poland’s recent selection of the system for its F-16V upgrade program. „They’re in a very similar upgrade program [to Poland] with their F-16. They shared the same blocks with Poland, so they both went through the previous upgrade together, when they upgraded from the Block 50 to the Block 50 plus,” Nyikos specified.
At a wider export level, Lockheed Martin was awarded a $520.4 million contract for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Viper Shield production in 2024 to cover the needs of Bahrain, Bulgaria, Morocco, Slovakia, and Taiwan, according to information provided by the US Department of Defense. This global expansion underscores the recognition and trust in the Viper Shield system’s capabilities in the international market. Greece’s imminent decision will add another important piece to the puzzle of European air security.
