The long-lasting high level of Greek-US relations, reflected by the signing of the renewed Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement and the speech of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Congress, is also confirmed by the significant presence of US companies at DEFEA 2023.

It is no coincidence, after all, that the US Army participates in the International Defence and Security Exhibition with some of the most advanced weapon systems at its disposal. In fact, such systems are at the center of operations both in the war zones of Ukraine and in other regions of the world, whereas a number of them have attracted the interest of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

HIMARS and Black Hawk

Known for their efficiency, US M142 HIMARS missile launchers manufactured by Lockheed Martin will reportedly be showcased at DEFEA.

The powerful weapon system remains at the center of interest, both for its success on the battlefield and after the announcement of Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall regarding the joint development of a German defence missile system equivalent to HIMARS.

The UH-60M Helicopter, the legendary Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin Black Hawk, is expected to play a leading role. It is one of the most popular military helicopters in the world, with more than 5,000 units in service in 35 countries.

The helicopter that will arrive in Greece will be the “Mike” version, with more than 15 million flight hours and more than 4 million hours in a combat environment.

Also read: HIMARS | Multiple launchers sent by the US to Ukraine – VIDEO

After all, the Black Hawk has attracted the interest of the Hellenic Armed Forces with regard to the replacement of the now aging UH-1 Huey of the Hellenic Army, while it participates in the selection process of the Hellenic Air Force as a Search and Rescue helicopter.

The Hellenic Navy already uses a variant of this particular helicopter, the S-70 Aegean Hawk, and in the coming months, the upgraded anti-submarine MH-60s Romeo of the same “family” of helicopters are expected in Greece.

The General Directorate of Defence Investments and Armaments has already sent the relevant request (LoR for LoA) for the Hellenic Army helicopters and is waiting for Washington’s response.

Also read: Sikorsky and DARPA test Black Hawk in autonomous flight – VIDEO

Impressive US presence

The M270 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) known to the Hellenic Armed Forces will also attend DEFEA 2023 in its most modern version, the A2, with a new fire control system, which allows the use of Precision Strike Missiles, 600 hp engine, upgraded transmission system, and improved cabin armor.

According to information, the US Army intends to upgrade its entire fleet of 225 M270A1s as well as 160 decommissioned M270A0s to the A2 version.

Exhibition visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about the Oshkosh JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) tactical wheeled vehicle used by the US Army, Marines, and the Special Operations Command.

In fact, it is one of the vehicles – carriers of the Israeli Spike NLOS system, which the Hellenic Armed Forces will soon acquire. The largest vehicle of the US Oshkosh company, FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) used by the US Army, is expected with particular interest.

Also read: MLRS Upgrade | Next-generation munitions announced by Lockheed Martin

US IFV

The US Army will also present the powerful M1134 TOW Carrier ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle) of the Stryker family of vehicles, a modern Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) used as a primary anti-tank weapon with remarkable capabilities against armored threats as it is equipped with TOW missiles.

DEFEA attendees will also view the US version of Textron’s M1117 Guardian, which recently entered service with the Hellenic Armed Forces. Athens is set to receive a total of 1,200 vehicles of this type through the EDA program, with hundreds already received and the rest arriving in the coming months.

As part of the upgraded Athens-Washington defence cooperation, the Metropolitan Expo will feature major US companies such as Aviation Procurement Systems, BAE Systems, Boeing, D&M Ammunition Manufacturing Solution, Dillon Aero, Erickson Inc., General Atomics Aeronautical, Lockheed Martin, Onex, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, State of Missouri International Trade & Investment, EWR Radar Systems, Masterclock, Textron Aviation Inc., Titanium Industries, Velos Rotors Inc., By-Linear/By-Light, Summit Aviation Inc., Alpha Systems, Air Industrial – G. Alexandris and Join Stock Co., Total View, Aeroservices, S3 Aerodefense, Northrop Grumman and Cubit Digital Intelligence.

Source: SKAI.gr

Also read: These are the American companies at the DEFEA exhibition – The equipment and vehicles that will be presented