Israel to Upgrade Greek AH-64 Apache Helicopters

Israel has reportedly agreed to upgrade Greek AH-64 Apache gunships besides ratifying a tripartite deal with Greece and Cyprus on the Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline project.

The Apache contract valued $34 million covers 19 helicopters. Elbit Systems will provide new Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor System (M-TADS/PNVS) systems and Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS) to be equipped on the rotorcraft, DefenceTurk.net reported today, citing AzeriDefence.

The helicopter will also be equipped with Rafael-manufactured Spike NLOS fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missiles. Greece also plans to arm its S-70B-6 Aegean Hawk helicopters with these missiles.

EastMed Oil Pipeline Project

The project aims to build pipelines in the Mediterranean Sea to supply natural gas to southern Europe. Earlier this year, Ankara signed a pact with Libya to create an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Mediterranean Sea.

“We want Turkey as an equal partner and not as the neighborhood bully, but this is currently proving difficult. Turkey has threatened to drill seven miles off the coast of Crete, a Greek island home to over a million people. These waters are within Greece’s EEZ, and drilling there would be a provocative violation of international law,” Greek Ambassador to Israel, Panagiotis Sarris, was quoted as saying by The Jerusalem Post.

Greek-Israel Ties

In what can be seen as a thawing relationship between Israel and Greece, the former entered into a number of agreements with the latter in recent times.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during his visit to Israel in mid-June, is said to have held talks with Elbit Systems over establishing a new training center for Hellenic Air Force pilots in Kalamata city. The new facility is expected to cost €1.4 billion over 20 years. Greek ONEX Neorion Shipyards and Israel Shipyards also signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of Themistocles-class corvettes during the PM’s visit.

In May, Greece leased naval variant of Israeli “Heron” surveillance drones to bolster its intelligence gathering abilities for its current ‘cold’ conflict with Turkey, for three years. While media reports said two drones were included in the contract, the Israel defense ministry did not disclose the actual figure.

The conflict:

In July 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus in order to crush a military coup backed by Greece. Ever since then, Ankara continues to lay claim to the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a de facto state situated in the north-eastern portion of the island.