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Greece

Greece has officially sealed the deal with the United States to acquire 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. This purchase, greenlit by the US State Department in 2023, comes with a price tag of $1.95 billion.

The agreement encompasses not only the helicopters themselves but also includes provisions for personnel training and necessary equipment to ensure seamless integration of these aircraft into the Hellenic Army.

Sikorsky president Paul Lemmo expressed confidence that this deal would bolster Greece's defense modernization efforts. The versatile capabilities of the Black Hawk helicopters are expected to enhance both national security and collaborative missions within NATO.

The UH-60M Black Hawk, manufactured by Lockheed-owned Sikorsky, originated in the 1970s as a utility aircraft. Over the years, it has undergone significant enhancements in performance, survivability, and reliability compared to its predecessors.

These twin-engine helicopters boast a maximum speed of 159 knots (183 miles/295 kilometers per hour) and a cruising speed of 152 knots (175 miles/282 kilometers per hour). The UH-60M comes in two main variants: utility and special purpose, with further subdivisions into 29 different modifications.

While the exact delivery date for the helicopters is yet to be disclosed, this acquisition marks a substantial step forward in Greece's efforts to bolster its defense capabilities and strengthen its partnerships within the NATO alliance.