A Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft is seen at the ILA Air Show in Berlin, Germany, April 25, 2018.
ATHENS, June 30 (Reuters) - Greece has sent an official request to the United States for the purchase of 20 Lockheed Martin-made F-35 fighter jets, the country's prime minister said on Thursday.
NATO member Greece spends more than 2% of its gross domestic product on defence spending.
It has beefed up its military purchases in recent years as tensions with its neighbour, historic rival and NATO ally Turkey, have resurfaced.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece is also examining the purchase of a second group of the jets.
Mitsotakis first referred to the purchase of F-35 jets during a visit in May to the United States.
According to state ERT TV, the defence ministry also wants to proceed with the upgrade of 38 F-16 fighter jets. »