The event held to welcome the new MH-60 Romeo helicopters which will join the Naval Aviation Command took place today at the Kotroni Naval Fort in Marathon, Attica. The ceremony was held in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

In his greeting, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, emphasized that the MH-60 Romeo helicopters provide new capabilities to the Hellenic Navy, which is currently acquiring a fleet of high capabilities. Further, the Minister thanked the former Minister of National Defence, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, who also attended the ceremony. It is worth mentioning that Mr. Panagiotopoulos was the one to bring the agreements regarding the helicopters’ acquisition to fruition.

General Dimitrios Houpis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), underlined that with the receipt of the Romeo helicopters, a goal is implemented in the fundamental upgrading of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The new helicopters, he added, crucially contribute to the achievement of operational goals for the benefit of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

The Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras, pointed out that the Hellenic Navy has already received three Romeo helicopters and added that 4 more helicopters are expected in 2025. He also emphasized that the Romeos, the ‘submarine hunters’ as he described them, will increase the operational capabilities of the Fleet and ensure Greece’s national interests.

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After the holy consecration, a video was shown with details of the construction of the Romeo helicopters as well as footage of their transport to Greece. Then, the Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence flew in an MH-60 Romeo helicopter on a 20-minute flight.

The ceremony was attended by, among others, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Lt. General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Air Marshal Demosthenes Grigoriadis, the honorary Chief of HNDGS, Admiral (ret.) and SYRIZA member of Parliament, Evangelos Apostolakis, New Democracy members of Parliament, Nikos Vlahakos and Dionysis Hatzidakis, the US ambassador to Athens, George Tsounis, the honorary Chief of HNDGS, General (ret.) Konstantinos Floros, officials of the manufacturing company Sikorsky as well as a number of Hellenic Armed Forces officials.

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