American company Lockheed Martin has won a contract from the U.S. Navy to produce four MH-60R helicopters for Greece.
It was reported in February 2019 that the Greek Navy is in the final stage of activating the sub-programme for the procurement of four Sikorsky MH-60R anti-submarine warfare helicopters, according to a written statement to the Parliament made by the former Minister of Defense Evangelos Apostolakis.
This has finally occurred with yesterday's announcement that Lockheed Martin won the contract.
"This modification adds a $180,000,000 not-to-exceed, undefinitized line item for the production and delivery of four MH-60R aircraft, and exercises a $13,980,348 option to procure three airborne low frequency sonars in support of the government of Greece," the U.S. Department of Defense reported in a press release.
Work is expected to be completed in February 2025.
In July, Ptsidiastima reported that the government signed letters of acceptances (LOA) to purchase four MH-60R helicopters and modernize old S-70B6 rotorcraft.
Commenting on it, Ptsidiastima wrote, "it is probably the lowest price for MH-60R to an export customer. A corresponding LOA was signed for the targeted modernization program of S-70B6 helicopters. The helicopters serving in the Navy will be modernized, receiving a "decent" package of upgrades for electronics and sensors, in order to continue to remain combative in the coming decades. The important thing is that the helicopters will again become 100% combatable thanks to the FOS program that accompanies the modernization.”
The report also added that Greek Navy will soon sign contracts for the modernization of Hydra-class MEKO 200 frigate and procurement of heavy-duty torpedoes for Type 214 submarines.
Israel has reportedly agreed to upgrade Greek AH-64 Apache gunships recently.
With Greece upgrading its military, it is unknown if Lockheed Martin will win more contracts.
