On Monday October 16th of 1971, the entire Athens police force was on alert.The reason:The official visit to Greece of the U.S vice–President Spiro Agnew.
This was a very important visit for the Greek Military regime.Not so much because the vice-President of the U.S was visiting (the first visit of a high level U.S official in many years), neither because Spiro Agnew was of Greek origin.This visit was seen as the aknowledgment of the good relations between the U.S administration of President Nixon and the colonels, ruling Greece at the time.
The relations between the two allies were entering a new era of cooperation.In this new era, the U.S would welcome back a loyal ally and the Athens military junta would find a great supporter.
The discussions between the head of the regime George Papadopoulos, and vice-President Spiro Agnew were numerous and lengthy.The subjects discussed were not many, but important nevertheless.The U.S administration was looking for port facilities in the area, which could base DESRON 12 and an aircraft carrier.Naples was rather far from the Soviet fleet anchorages in the Aegean.Turkey’s ports in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean were lacking in support and repair facilities.
On the Greek side, apart from a recognition for the regime, there was the need for armament supplies.
At the same period, the Hellenic Air Force was looking for a new fighter aircraft.
The aircraft available in the international market were two:The French Dassault Mirage F.1 and the American McDonnel F-4E.
The French, in trying to secure an order, had put forward an interesting offer.They were proposing a Greek participation of 20% in the Mirage F.1 programme!
This, in an era when offset deals were unheard-of.Undoubtedly, the offer was a unique opportunity for Greece, to laid the base for an Aviation industry.
There were however some draw-backs.The Mirage F.1 was still on the drawing board, and was not yet being ordered by any air force.And, even with the participation offer the amount of funds to be drawn from the state budget was substantial.
Also, France was not offering any "political" extras to the isolated Greek Junta.
On the other hand, the F-4 Phantom, although more expensive than the Mirage, needed less national funds, since payment would be significally covered by FMS.The aircraft was battle-proven and already alegend.The factor that mostly contributed to its favour was that, by ordering it, the Greek Military government was securing the U.S administration’s recognition and support.
Greece was braeaking out of isolation and entering the club of countries eligible for advanced U.S weapons.Of course, vice-President Agnew secured the promises of the regime to take some "liberalization" measures, in order to fend-off the pressure that certain Congress members were exerting on President Nixon, regarding the situation in Greece.
These promises were given without hesitation, because in reality, were never going to be implemented.
Officially, the decision to order the Phantom by the Hellenic Air Force was taken on February 13, 1972.
The contract was signed in Washington on March 29, 1972.It was a contract between the governments of the U.S and Greece.The signatories were the U.S Air Force as the seller and the Hellenic Air Force as the buyer.Gerneral John Ryan,Chief of Staff, signed for the former and Brigadier (Greek Army) Floros Astrinidis, Military Attache of the Greek Embassy, for the latter.
The total cost of the contract was for US$ 160,000,000.From this amount, US$ 25,000,000 were drawn from national funds and the rest through FMS.To this cost were included engines, part of ground support and some spare parts from USAF stocks.