The Black Hawk helicopters will replace Greece's current fleet of multi-role helicopters. Greece has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the procurement of 35 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
As previously reported by Shephard, Greece requested the purchase of Black Hawks, along with engines, defensive aids, self-defense weapons, and other associated equipment in a deal worth up to US$2 billion last December.
The Sikorsky helicopters will replace the current multi-role helicopter fleet, allowing Greece to maintain the appropriate level of readiness for combined operations, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
With its existing S-70B fleet and newly acquired MH-60R maritime helicopters for the Hellenic Navy, Greece will operate several variants of the Hawk family, benefiting from the operational and sustainment advantages of fleet commonality, Lockheed said.
"The latest generation UH-60M Black Hawk will support the Hellenic Ministry of Defense's ongoing modernization and serve as a dependable helicopter for vital national and allied security missions," said Paul Lemmo, president of Sikorsky.
In addition to the Black Hawks, Greece could also acquire Leonardo-made AW139 multi-role helicopters to replace its Puma fleet, which has been carrying out search and rescue (SAR) missions.
