The green light for the implementation of five new armament programs was given yesterday by the Special Standing Committee on Armament Programs and Contracts of the Parliament, following a relevant briefing from the Minister of Defence, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, to the Committee members.

The programs, which were approved by a majority of the deputies of New Democracy, Movement of Change (KINAL), and Greek Solution, concerned an armament program of the Hellenic Army General Staff, two of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, and two of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff. 

The meeting was attended by the Chief of HNDGS, General Konstantinos Floros, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice-Admiral Stylianos Petrakis, the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Air Marshal Themistocles Bourolias, and the General Director of the General Directorate of Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA), Aristides Alexopoulos.

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The five new armament programs are as follows:

• Procurement of 76 AAVP-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicles from the reserves of the US Marine Corps at a cost of 291 million euros via an interstate contract (FMS). The entire 32nd Marine Brigade (24 vehicles per Marine battalion, the support battalion, and the Formation Headquarters Command) is to be equipped with the said vehicles.

Prior to their delivery, the vehicles in question will undergo complete reconstruction work. The quoted cost is estimated at its maximum with provisions for training, weapons, ammunition, FOS, and the creation of special infrastructure, but it is estimated that it will not be exceeded.

• Procurement of 3 MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)  and 2 Ground Control Stations (GCS) as well as additional technical services for 388 million euros via an interstate contract with the USA (FMS). According to information, the procurement does not concern the armed variant of the system.
• Activation of a sub-program regarding the sale of 18 Mirage 2000 BGM/EGM fighter aircraft under the procurement contract for 18 Rafale fighters. The divestment includes aircraft engines, equipment, and spare parts stock, which are estimated to yield 117 million euros. 
• Technical supply support for the Type-209 submarine engines of the Hellenic Navy for 21 million euros.
• Procurement of “Identification Friend or Foe” systems IFF Mode 5 to meet the operational needs of the Hellenic Navy for 53 million euros, so as to replace the older IFF Mode 4.

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