Greece joins international UH-60M programme

Seen here in US Army service, the UH-60M Black Hawk will soon be flown by the Hellenic Army also, following the signing of an LOA for 35 helicopters. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

Greece has joined the international UH-60M Black Hawk programme, with the announcement on 5 April that it signed a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) for 35 of the medium-lift helicopters.

Lockheed Martin disclosed the milestone some four months after the US government approved the approximately USD1.95 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) in December 2023. This figure includes equipment, weapons and ammunition, spares, support, and training.

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.

The Hellenic Army is acquiring the 35 UH-60Ms to replace the 20 remaining Bell UH-1H, one Agusta-Bell 212, and 10 Agusta-Bell AB205 versions of the ‘Huey' helicopter that have been in service since 1969, 1972, and 1974 respectively. They will augment 15 NHIndustries NH90 Troop Transport Helicopter (with a further five to be delivered) and 24 Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters in service.

The announcement of the LOA did not say when a contract would be signed or when deliveries would commence and be complete.

For more information on the UH-60M, please see Sikorsky S-70A.