The company said, under the terms of a letter of offer and acceptance, the Greek Air Force would receive 30 new Advanced F-16 Block 52+ aircraft in 2009.

The deal is worth about US$1.99 billion (?1.61 billion), with Lockheed Martin's portion of the total program estimated at US$1.2 billion (?1 billion), according to a statement from the company based in Bethesda, Maryland.

It said Greece had the option of purchasing an additional 10 aircraft under the deal.

"This agreement was made following direct negotiations with the Unites States government, avoiding third parties," Greek Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos said.

Greece's main opposition Socialist Party criticized the deal, arguing that the government was paying too much for the aircraft.

"The government has proceeded in making this significant purchase without an international tender, but through directly awarding a contract in a process that was not transparent," the party's defense spokesman, Christos Papoutsis, said.

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