US approves nearly $2 billion sale of Black Hawk helicopters to Greece

Europe, News, US December 23, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of 35 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters along with its military armaments, weapons, surplus engines, and other related equipment to Greece in a deal that is worth around $1.95 billion.

Athens plans to replace its aging fleet of muti-role helicopters with more advanced and reliable platforms. According to the United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the $1.95 billion sale was approved under the Foreign Military Sale program.

The Government of Greece has requested 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters along with 80 T700-GE 701D engines, 70 installed with 10 spares, 44 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, 85 H-764U Embedded Global Position Systems with Inertial Navigation, and country unique selective availability anti-spoofing module.

The DSCA report added that the proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO Ally, which is an important partner for political stability and economic progress in Europe. DSCA announced that Congress has been notified about the approval of the request where the final decision would be made.

The report also added that the new helicopters would “allow Greece to maintain the appropriate level of readiness to conduct combined operations.” It said that “the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter will improve the Hellenic Army’s ability to deploy combat power to secure Greece’s borders, deter actions against its interests, and, when required, respond with credible force. Greece will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”

US Black Hawk — ^{U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew members assigned to Task Force Tigershark, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division depart for a mission at Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, May 17, 2017. (Image Credit: U.S. Army)}

In July of this year, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced his country’s intention to allocate an additional $12.62 billion for arms expenditure over the next four years.

The strategic plan encompasses nineteen significant acquisitions, featuring the procurement of at least 20 F-35 fighter jets, the modernization of 37 F-16 Block 50 aircraft, and the acquisition of three FDI-type frigates and 24 Rafael war jets from France. Furthermore, Greece aims to enhance its military capabilities through the acquisition of 83 additional F-16 jet updates.

Additionally, in March, Greece approved the acquisition of Israeli-made SPIKE NLOS missile systems, a decision reached during a session of the National Security Governmental Council led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, would act as the principal contractor for the latest deal and at least 15 other U.S.-based defense companies would be involved in the production process for the deliveries of the helicopters.

UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter

The helicopter, which carries 2 pilots and 2 gunners, and fly at a maximum speed of 294 km/h. It can also carry 1,450 kilograms of internal cargo, including 11 seated troops, and 6 stretchers, as well as 4,100 kilograms of external cargo.

Black Hawk helicopter features — *^{Image Credit: Lockheed Martin}*

The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter has a combat range of about 590 kilometers and can be equipped with two M240 machine guns, two 7.62mm M134 miniguns, or two 12.7 mm GAU-19 Gatling guns. It can also carry 70mm unguided rockets as well as up to 4 AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided air-to-ground missiles or 2 AIM-92 Stinger heat-seeking air-to-air missiles.