Μake us preferred on Google Greece is seeking a range of new U.S. weapons, armored vehicles and long-term support programs as its defense cooperation with Washington enters a new phase following the sixth Greece-U.S. Strategic Dialogue in Athens.
The discussions have brought a $4 billion package of U.S. military sales under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system to the forefront, alongside the separate transfer of Stryker armored vehicles to the Greek Army.
The package does not represent a single new weapons program. Instead, it covers a broader group of procurements and support programs linked to Greece’s long-term defense planning.
The Royal Air Force’s first delivery of F35B aircraft fly from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in the U.S. towards their new base RAF Marnham, Britain June 6, 2018. Picture taken June 6, 2018. SAC Nicholas Egan/MoD Handout via REUTERS NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
New weapons for F-16 Vipers and F-35s
For the Hellenic Air Force, a key priority is acquiring new air-to-air missiles and long-range strike weapons for its F-16 Viper and F-35 fighter jets.
Greece is interested in the AIM-120D AMRAAM, while it is also closely following the AIM-260 JATM, particularly for the F-35. According to information cited by To BHMA, the AIM-260 would ideally be the first choice of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff.
The JASSM-ER long-range cruise missile also remains under consideration, although neither its release for sale nor its procurement has been finalized. Delivery times for the system could reach 48 months.
Another outstanding program concerns new self-protection systems for Greece’s F-16 Vipers.
The United States has two certified next-generation options: L3Harris’ AN/ALQ-254 Viper Shield and Northrop Grumman’s AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS. An Israeli proposal from Elbit Systems is also considered highly competitive and, according to published information, currently has the preference of the Greek side.
Support for Romeo and Black Hawk helicopters
The broader package of U.S. defense programs also includes support for Greece’s seven MH-60R Romeo anti-submarine helicopters operated by the Hellenic Navy and its 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters operated by the Army Aviation.
epa05427633 A Turkish military helicopter Black Hawk is seen at Dimokritos Airport of Alexandoupolis, northern Greece, 16 July 2016. The eight Turkish military officers that were on board the helicopter that landed in the early hours at Alexandroupolis airport sought political asylum in Greece. EPA/DIMITRIS ALEXOUDIS
The support covers spare parts, technical and logistical assistance, training and efforts to maintain high availability of the aircraft over the long term.
The issue was also raised during high-level talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as the State Department plays a key role in approving the release of advanced U.S. military systems to foreign countries.
Stryker vehicles in focus
The Stryker armored vehicles are being handled separately from the $4 billion package and are specifically referenced in the joint statement between Greece and the United States.
The Greek Army has been pursuing the acquisition for months. Available vehicles from U.S. stocks have attracted interest from other U.S. allies, including Poland and Romania, creating a race to secure the available vehicles.
Greece formally expressed its interest and had planned to send a team to Germany to assess the condition of the vehicles.
The Army’s priorities also include its Black Hawk fleet and the associated support requirements.
Completing the F-16 Viper upgrade
For the Air Force, completing the transition to the F-16 Viper configuration remains a central part of Greece’s defense planning.
A total of 83 aircraft have entered the upgrade program, while the modernization of another 38 F-16 Block 50s to the Viper configuration remains pending.
Greece is still awaiting the relevant Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) from the U.S. State Department. According to sources familiar with the current talks, the issue was raised again during the discussions, as the LOA had initially been expected by the end of September.
The final element of the Air Force’s planning concerns the weapons for its F-35s. With the exception of the AIM-260 JATM, some of the weapons under consideration could also be used by the upgraded F-16 Vipers.
Taken together, the programs cover several branches of Greece’s armed forces, with the Army focused on Strykers and Black Hawks, the Navy on maintaining the availability of its seven MH-60R Romeo helicopters, and the Air Force on completing the F-16 Viper transition and equipping both the Vipers and F-35s with modern weapons.
