*Athanasios Tsakalos

Lockheed Martin’s cooperation with Greece spans more than 75 years and includes numerous programs.

During the major defence exhibition Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2023), the DEFENCE ReDEFiNED team had the opportunity to talk with executives of the US giant in an all-out discussion on the current and future armaments programs of the Greek Armed Forces.

Lockheed Martin’s representatives initially referred to the particularly long-term relationship that the company has developed both with the Republic of Greece and the domestic defence industry. Further to this, they noted that there is fertile ground for strengthening existing partnerships, as well as creating new ones, always committed to supporting Greece by providing the most advanced operational capabilities that will help gain the lead in addressing the growing security challenges.

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Transport aircraft

With regard to the transport aircraft fleet, Lockheed Martin representatives emphasized that the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) continues the maintenance and structural upgrade works of the existing fleet. So far, there are 3 aircraft of the type available.

It is noted that HAI made the last deliveries of two C-130H aircraft in 2020 and 2021, while it plans to deliver two more aircraft in 2024 and three in 2025. In fact, Greece has sent 2 C-130H to a factory in Portugal, where aircraft of allied countries are repaired, to carry out the maintenance required.

The Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff himself, Air Marshal Themistocles Bourolias, recently visited the Portuguese Aviation Industry “OGMA” located at the Alverca Air Base and was informed about the progress of the factory maintenance work on the two C-130H aircraft through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency program. One of the two C-130Hs is reportedly expected to complete maintenance and be delivered to the Hellenic Air Force in the first half of 2024.

It is recalled that the Hellenic Air Force has two types of transport aircraft: the C-27J Spartan and the C-130, while the problem of transport aircraft came under public scrutiny after the inability of the Greek rescue mission to fly safely to Turkey and provide assistance after the devastating earthquakes in the neighboring country.

Following this, Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, gave the green light to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the Hellenic Air Force General Staff to search for the best and “value for money” solutions, so that the fleet of transport aircraft can be renewed, as the need is imperative. As confirmed by Lockheed Martin executives, the company is in discussions with the political and military leadership of the Ministry of Defence for the possibility of acquiring new transport aircraft having sent a LoR (Letter of Request) for the cost and availability of 4+2 C-130 aircraft in the J configuration, their most modern and popular version.

The executives highlighted the paradox that 30% of the C-130Js sold worldwide are manufactured in HAI, while there is also a certified factory for the maintenance and upgrading of aircraft of the same type. Despite this, however, Greece is not a user of the type.

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F-35 and F-16

The company’s representatives also commented on the upcoming supply of F-35 fighter jets, noting that the US government has not given official approval and Greece is awaiting a Letter of Acceptance (LoA). The F-35, according to Lockheed Martin, is the most suitable solution for the Hellenic Air Force. The 5th generation fighter features unique technologies, including low observability (stealth), sensor fusion, network-centric operations, and electronic warfare technologies.

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Regarding the F-16 fleet, the executives said that Lockheed Martin and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) are effectively working together to upgrade a significant portion of the Hellenic Air Force’s F-16 fleet to the state-of-the-art F-16V “Viper” version.

In particular, as part of the upgrade plan for a total of 84 aircraft in the “Viper” configuration by 2027, the total number of upgraded fighters that have been delivered so far is 13, while the target is 16 fighters by the end of 2023.

Regarding the rest of the F-16 fleet, the company is awaiting the Hellenic Air Force’s final decisions on the imminent upgrade of the “Block 50” to create fleet commonality, while for the “Block 30” aircraft, any decision will be made at a later date.

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P3 Orion

The upgrade of the four P-3B ORION maritime surveillance aircraft (MPA) of the Hellenic Navy continues as planned, despite any inaccuracies circulating in the media, a company executive emphasizes, noting that the aircraft in question will be the most modern of the type globally.

The design of the upgrade emphasizes on anti-submarine warfare with state-of-the-art electronic systems and sensors as well as a new glass cockpit with touch screens. Indicatively, the aircraft will have a new mission system, data link terminals (Link 11/16/22), a new surface radar, and electronic warfare modules. Once the first P-3B completes ground testing, it will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy’s Air Force, perhaps at the end of 2023, and will serve as the model for the rest of the P-3s to follow.

According to information, the second aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2024 and two more will follow in 2025, while there is the P-3 of the “intermediate solution” which was delivered in 2019 without being modernized.

UH-60M Blackhawk

According to the representatives of the company, the program, which concerns the supply of 35 UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters for the Hellenic Army Aviation, has been put into motion and the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) is expected in response to the relevant Letter of Request (LoR) within December of 2023, upon Congress approval (at the time of the interview).

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However, a few days ago the State Department approved the possible sale of 35 UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters to Greece at an estimated cost of $195.5 billion to replace Greece’s multi-role helicopter fleet.

The sales package of two-engine helicopters includes 70+10 engines, early warning and self-protection systems, and flare countermeasures, while, among other things, they will have hoists for medical evacuation and a fast rope system for special operations. Armament includes 7.62mm M-134 Gatling Guns, M-240 machine guns and 2.75” rockets.

The inclusion of the supply in the relevant “multi-year contract” program of the US Army is noteworthy, which means that Greece will be supplied at prices corresponding to the US Army, while the platform will be supported until 2075.

The Greek version will be similar to the US version except for 4 pieces, which will be given to the Special Warfare Command and will have a distinct configuration. As company officials noted, the helicopter in question uses the same engine as Hellenic Navy and Hellenic Air Force helicopters with everything entailed in terms of logistics.

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MH-60R and SH-60

Lockheed Martin has confirmed that it continues to maintain and support its existing fleet of SH-60 helicopters. The addition of 7 helicopters of the latest and most advanced type of naval helicopter in the world, the MH-60R, in the existing fleet of 11 S-70B/B6 of the Hellenic Navy builds on the long-standing cooperation between Lockheed Martin and the Hellenic Armed Forces. The Hellenic Navy will gain an unprecedented capability to conduct both surface and anti-submarine missions while also being able to perform secondary missions, such as aerial (helicopter) refuelling and search and rescue operations.

According to the company, the delivery of the first 3 helos is expected within January 2024 following the issuance of the transportation plan by the US Air Force, while the remaining 4 will arrive in late 2024 or early 2025.

Finally, regarding a rumored interest in the Hellenic Navy’s acquisition of used LCS naval units (which the US Navy is prematurely withdrawing), the company representatives stated that no decision has been made yet, while they estimated that the Hellenic Navy is “weighing” all the parameters carefully and will soon make its “move”.

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