Greece was cleared to purchase 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters by the US State Department on 15 December as part of a contract worth $1.95bn (€1.7bn) with Lockheed Martin’ Sikorsky company.
The proposed sale will replace Greece’s multi-role helicopter fleet, currently composed of 60 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters.
To power the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, Greece is seeking 80 T700-GE 701D engines, with 70 to be installed in the helicopters and an additional ten to serve as spares. In addition to the helicopters and engines, Greece’s request includes a comprehensive suite of aviation and combat support systems. This includes 44 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS), with 35 to be installed and nine kept as spares.
There is also a request for 85 H-764U Embedded Global Position Systems with Inertial Navigation (EGI), equipped with a selective availability anti-spoofing module (SAASM) specific to the country’s requirements. Of these, 70 are to be installed with 15 reserved as spares.
Greece is looking to acquire 85 AN/ARC-231A VHF/UHF/LOS SATCOM radio systems, which are essential for secure and reliable communication. Communication systems requested also include AN/ARC-231 Receivers/Transmitters RT-1808A, APR-39C(V)1/4 Radar Warning Receivers, AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets, APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders, and ARC-220 High Frequency (HF) radios with KY-100M.
Cyber requirements on the list include VRC-100 Ground Stations, AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKLs), KIV-77 Common IFF Applique Crypto Computers, COMSEC Encryption devices, and numerous other radio and navigation systems. These components are an advantage for the operational efficacy and safety of the helicopters in various mission scenarios.
For diverse mission operations, the request includes a range of enhancement equipment such as Engine Inlet Barrier Filters (EIBF), Ballistic Armor Protection Systems (BAPS), Internal Auxiliary Fuel Tank Systems (IAFTS), and Fast Rope Insertion Extraction Systems (FRIES). Rescue equipment like External Rescue Hoists (ERH), Rescue Hoist Equipment Sets, and Dual Patient Litter System (DPLS) Sets are also part of the package. To enhance the crew’s operational capability, Martin Baker Palletized Crew Chief/Gunner Seats with crashworthy floor structural modifications are requested, along with Integrated Tow Plates Production Assets and Universal Software Loading Kits.
To advance personnel support and development, Greece seeks advanced training equipment like the Black Hawk Aircrew Trainer (BAT), Black Hawk Maintenance Trainer (BHMT-M), Black Hawk Avionics Trainer, Maintenance Blended Reconfigurable Avionics Trainer (MBRAT), and CAPT-E-Visual & Control System (CAPT-E VCS). These tools are intended for preparing personnel to effectively operate and maintain the new equipment. This extensive request also covers personnel training and training equipment, along with US Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of Greece’s military modernization efforts.
The package is rounded off with an assortment of helmets, transportation, organisational equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools and test equipment, and technical data and publications.
