US approves UH-60Ms for Greece

Greece is set to become a Black Hawk operator, with the purchase of 35 helicopters approved by the US government. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The US government has approved the sale of 35 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Greece for USD1.95 billion.

The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approval, announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 15 December, covers the helicopters, as well as equipment, weapons and ammunition, spares, support, and training.

“The proposed sale will replace Greece's current multirole helicopter fleet with a more reliable and proven system that will allow Greece to maintain the appropriate level of readiness to conduct combined operations. 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,” the DSCA said.

The prospective sale to Greece must now be approved by Congress before a contract can be signed.

As the most modern variant of the Black Hawk helicopter, the UH-60M incorporates more powerful and reliable General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, enhanced rotor blades, and a fully digital ‘glass' cockpit.