The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Greece.
Athens has requested the purchase of 35 Black Hawks—along with engines, defensive aids, external stores support system wings and self-defense weapons in a deal worth up to $1.95 billion, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) detailed on Dec. 15.
The helicopters are likely to be used by the Hellenic Army to replace its aging fleets of Bell and Agusta-Bell-produced Model 205 and AB205 Iroquois/Huey transport helicopters. The Black Hawks may operate alongside the Hellenic Army’s NHIndustries NH90s.
Aviation Week Network’s Fleet Discovery databases state that the Hellenic Army is currently flying 10 AB205 and 20 UH-1H Hueys, making it one of the last militaries in Europe still operating the type.
According to the DSCA, the proposed sale will “replace the current multi-role helicopter fleet with a more reliable and proven system that will allow Greece to maintain the appropriate level of readiness to conduct combined operations.”
Greece is already familiar with the Black Hawk family. The Hellenic Navy operates the Sikorsky S-70 Seahawk—known locally as the Aegean Hawk—and it has ordered the MH-60R maritime helicopter to support new warships, also on order.
The helicopters will, according to the DSCA, “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.”
The Greek order would continue to grow the Black Hawk’s market share in Europe. The type is already in use by Austria, Croatia, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden and Turkïye.
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