Athens Requests S-70B Helicopter Support

Greece has received the U.S. State Department’s nod to support its S-70B helicopters.

The requested follow-on support and sustainment valued around $160 million includes aircraft spares, repair parts, consumables, components and accessories to support S-70B/S-70B6 aircraft, existing radar and gun mount procurement.

S-70B Seahawk is a naval variant of Sikorsky’s S-70.

The proposed sale will improve Greece’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing an effective combatant deterrent capability to protect maritime interests and infrastructure in support of its strategic location on NATO’s southern flank. Follow-on support and sustainment of Greece’s existing fleet of S-70 helicopters enhances stability and maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean region and contribute to security and strategic objectives of NATO and the United States. Greece contributes to NATO operations, as well as to counterterrorism and counter-piracy maritime efforts and performs invaluable Search and Rescue (SAR) functions in the region. Greece will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces, the Pentagon said in a release.

Athens has recently signed multiple big-ticket arms deals, including for drones from Israel, Rafale jets from France, and upgrades to its F-16 fleet from the U.S. It has also approached Washington for the potential purchase of at least 20 F-35 stealth jets.

Greece has 11 Aegean Hawk S-70Bs in its service. Delivery of these aircraft took place between 1994 to 2007. The Aegean Hawk is a special version of the American SH-60 Sea Hawk.

Lockheed Martin handed over the first modernized S-70B chopper to the Hellenic Navy in May 2021.

The Sea Hawk can travel up to 100 nautical miles from the host ship and remain on station for several hours. The helicopter carries out all-weather surveillance, search and rescue, missile targeting, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare and strike-warfare.