40-50 UH-60A helicopters are coming for the Greek army, dramatically upgrading our combat power.
According to the website of the US Army and sources, a Greek military delegation went to the US for the final stage regarding the acquisition of 50 Black Hawk helicopters.
David Cooper of the US military agency responsible for foreign defense sales (USASAC), and the head of EUCOM/AFRICOM’s Central Affairs Management Division for Regional Operations, briefed the Greek delegation on October 13, 2022 in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
The delegation included the Director of Maintenance of the Greek Army, Brigadier General Theodoros Zikos, and the Director of the Economic Corps, Major General Athanasios Dimitriadis.
USASAC’s Hellenic Army Security Assistance Liaison Officer (SALO), Lt. Col. Athanasios Natsios, also attended.
Greek officers met with USASAC leadership to discuss sustainment efforts and the Total Package Approach for Greece.
The SALO program concerns military procurement (FMS) agreements on behalf of various countries.
After a tour of SALO’s new facilities, the Greek senior officers were welcomed by David Cooper, Head of the Central Affairs Department for EUCOM/AFRICOM Regional Operations. “Cooper and his team discussed issues central to the Hellenic Army’s Defense Procurement Program and answered questions from the Greek delegation,” the report concludes.
According to a source in the US, “Greece will receive in very good condition 40-50 UH-60 BlackHawk helicopters.
Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos stated that a proposal is being prepared for the acquisition of UH-60 helicopters to replace the old UH-1s.
“The US is offering 40 to 50 UH-60A+ helicopters, as well as UH-60Ls.
These helicopters from the US Air Force are ready for delivery and operation for at least 20 years without major modernization”, Mr. Panagiotopoulos had emphasized.
This is nothing new, but it shows that our country is now moving at a racing pace, in terms of equipment that must meet the immediate needs of the armed forces, especially the ground forces.
The transfer of a large numerical force of armored infantry to the point of need, with BLACK HAWK helicopters, (with or without the escort of our fighter aircraft in the Aegean), could be lifesaving in scenarios of possible Greek-Turkish conflict, in case the Turks offended small island with few or no inhabitants.
Turkey has been eyeing our islands in the Aegean, openly questioning their sovereignty, which has led our country to strengthen its aeronautical capabilities. The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a medium-lift transport helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft.
The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is the primary transport aircraft of the US Army. It is a twin engine medium lift helicopter. It is equipped with a single 4-blade rotor and a single 4-blade tail rotor.
The titanium core rotor blades are resistant to AAA (anti-aircraft artillery) fire up to 23mm and are equipped with pressure sensors that can detect rotor pressure loss (damage).
The A model was designed to carry 11 combat troops in addition to the crew of three (pilot, co-pilot, crew chief).
The UH-60A uses a sliding tailwheel landing gear system, with two fixed main gear struts and a rotating, locking tailwheel assembly. For operations in arctic environments, the Black Hawk can be equipped with landing skis.
The UH-60A is equipped with troop accommodations for eight, which can be removed to accommodate four full-size medical litters.
