US approves sale of 35 Black Hawk helicopters, military armaments to Greece for nearly $2B

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – The US has approved the sale of 35 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters as well as other military armaments to Greece worth $1.95 billion.

The deal contains 35 UH-60 M-type (Black Hawk) helicopters, along with other military armaments such as mini-guns, machine guns, rockets, advanced electronic suits, training, and logistical support, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Friday, adding that Sikorsky, one of the defense giant's Lockheed Martin companies, will serve as the deal's principal contractor.

Earlier in July, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced that the country planned to spend some €11.5 billion (approximately $12.62 billion) more on arms over the next four years.

Nineteen major procurements are scheduled over the next four years, including at least 20 F-35 fighter jets and the modernization of 37 F-16 Block 50 aircraft, Dendias said in a speech to parliament.

These, along with the procurement of three FDI-type frigates and 24 Rafael war jets from France, as well as 83 more F-16 jet updates, will greatly improve the Greek armed forces' capabilities, the defense minister said during a plenary discussion on the newly formed government's policy program.

On March 29, Greece also approved the purchase of Israeli-made SPIKE NLOS missile systems during a meeting of its National Security Governmental Council chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.