Hellenic News Update 15-11-2024

These and other valuable news updates can be found in the PIB Newsletter shared with the members of our cluster. Want to receive this information early? Contact the cluster coordinator and join the PIB!

October 29, 2024 - Greece Strengthens Its Hawk Fleet with Acquisition of 35 UH-60M Helicopters - GlobalData’s On October 29, 2024, as part of a foreign military sale, the U.S. government awarded Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, a contract to supply 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to the Greek Army. This contract includes not only the delivery of the helicopters but also personnel training, training equipment, and an initial spare parts package. This acquisition aims to enhance Greece's national defense and improve its interoperability with NATO allies. The UH-60M Black Hawk is a multi-mission combat utility helicopter designed to meet the demands of modern operations. Read more

October 29, 2024 - Poland and Greece conduct Underwater Warfare training with Teledyne GAVIA UAV - According to information published by the Polish MoD on October 29, 2024, the Polish Navy has brought its advanced Teledyne Gavia Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) into action during the Aegean Seal 2024 exercise in the Aegean Sea. The Aegean Seal 2024 exercise includes a range of drills focused on anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, underwater surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. The Teledyne Gavia AUV is an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle with a modular configuration designed for diverse applications across military, commercial, and scientific fields. The AUV’s modular construction enables rapid adaptation to various mission profiles by incorporating specific payload modules such as sonar, cameras, and scientific instruments. Read more

October 23, 2024 - Greece’s Second FDI Frigate Receives PSIM Integrated Mast - Approximately a month after the technical launch of the second Greek FDI HN frigate Nearchos (F602) from its dry dock at the Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France, the final structural component—the PSIM integrated mast—was installed today on the ship. This mast, along with the inverted bow, is a key characteristic of the FDI design. The Naval Group’s mast is a separate module, manufactured independently of the hull and well in advance of sea trials. It can be powered up, tested, or even used for training purposes while still onshore. Weighing 150 tonnes and standing 42 meters tall, the integrated steel mast, known as the Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM), incorporates the ship’s Command Information Center (CIC) Read more

September 23, 2024 - Hellenic Navy races to modernize MEKO frigates as Spetsai prepares for Red Sea deployment - According to information published by Hellas Journal on September 22, 2024, the Hellenic Navy is experiencing a period of intense operational activity and technical upgrades, highlighted by the return of the frigate Psara to the Salamis Naval Base after a 97-day deployment. As the Psara docked, attention shifted to the modernization of the Navy's four Hydra-class MEKO frigates, a crucial step to maintain the fleet's operational capabilities. Despite ongoing challenges, these upgrades remain a priority, with the fleet facing a lengthy process before a full renewal. Read more

October 13, 2024 - US has not met its commitments, says Greek defense minister - Washington has not met all of the commitments outlined in a letter sent by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mistotakis at the start of the year, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias tells Kathimerini, adding that strengthening Greece’s capabilities, so that it can “exercise its role as the reliable, stable and serious ally in the broader region,” is also in America’s best interest. Dendias says that Athens is also exploring a “new philosophy” in its armaments programs with a more comprehensive approach that includes installing missile systems on the islands to bolster defense capabilities. Read more

October 12, 2024 - Dendias highlights Greece’s military progress - Defense Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized Greece’s growing military capabilities during his visit to the Andravida Air Base on Friday for the NATO military exercise Ramstein Flag 24. Dendias announced that “soon, the F-35s with Greek markings will be here.” “With the establishment of the anti-aircraft and anti-drone umbrella I have previously announced, Greece will gain enhanced capabilities.” The exercise featured 89 fighter jets and 12 support aircraft from 13 countries but was held without Turkey’s participation, as Ankara refused to submit flight plans. During his address, Dendias underscored the importance of NATO upholding the values of international law. He stated that “NATO is a coalition of values, committed to defending not just its member-countries but also international law.” Read more

October 9, 2024 - Greece purchases 592 US-made Switchblade 300 and 600 loitering munitions for Special Forces - According to Doureios on October 10, 2024, Greece plans to acquire 592 units of Switchblade 300 Block 20 and Switchblade 600 loitering munitions from the United States. The Hellenic Parliament’s Special Permanent Committee on Armaments and Contracts approved this procurement on September 17, 2024, as part of a broader defense enhancement initiative. Greece's decision follows a series of strategic evaluations that began in December 2023, when the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA) approved a related study for the acquisition, upgrade, and modernization of military equipment. Initial considerations involved two companies: the Israeli firm Aeronautics, which offered the Orbiter 1K, and the American company AeroVironment, which manufactures the Switchblade. Read more

October 8, 2024 - First French Belharra frigate begins sea trials, Greek frigate Kimon to follow - The frigate Amiral Ronarc’h, the first FDI Belharra built for the French Navy, has begun its sea trials, paving the way for the Greek FDI Belharra frigate Kimon. Once the trials of the French frigate are complete, the Greek F-601 Kimon, the first of the four Greek FDI Belharra frigates, will begin its sea trials, expected to start in 2024. For the Amiral Ronarc’h to complete its sea trials, at least ten voyages will be required, during which various tests will be conducted. The French frigate is the prototype FDI and serves as a model for the other ships to be built, including the four planned for Greece. Reportedly, Greek Navy officers will be on board to closely observe the tests. Read more

October 8, 2024 - Greece in talks with US over LCS ships - Greece is rekindling discussions with the US regarding the potential acquisition of four littoral combat ships (LCS) to strengthen its navy. Following previous negotiations that faltered due to the aging and defective nature of the offered ships, Athens is seeking alternatives that better meet its needs. The Hellenic Navy insists on acquiring upgraded LCS vessels, specifically the Wichita, Billings, Indianapolis and St Louis, rather than the older Milwaukee, Detroit, Little Rock and Sioux City. The latter ships would require substantial investment to bring them into service, making them less appealing for Greece’s military objectives. Read more

October 3, 2024 - Pursuing diplomacy, while modernizing our defences - Iran’s attack against Israel on Tuesday with 180 missiles – most of which were intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome and other additional antiballistic systems – showed how useful and urgently needed such an advanced defense system is. Greece has made a decision to develop a multi-level air defense system – a Greek Iron Dome – in order to be able to protect itself from a potential attack that could take place by an array of possible means, from drones to short and medium-range ballistic missiles. It is not only the Middle East. The characteristics of the military confrontation in Ukraine serve as an added reminder of what needs to be done. Read more

October 3, 2024 - Greek Army evaluates French proposal for 370 VBCI Philoctetes infantry fighting vehicles - On October 1, 2024, the Greek Ministry of National Defense announced that representatives from KNDS France, formerly Nexter Systems, presented armored combat vehicle (ACV) options to the Hellenic Army General Staff (GES) on September 25, 2024. The presentation included discussions on both new and used vehicles, with particular attention to the Philoctetes model, also known as the VBCI II. Although the Ministry did not specify which models were discussed, KNDS France has been promoting the Philoctetes to the Greek Army for some time. Reports from Defence Review.gr suggest that the company reiterated its March 2024 proposal for the delivery of 200 VBCI-2 units, equipped with the T40 turret featuring a 40mm CTA cannon and Akeron MP anti-tank missiles. Read more

October 1, 2024 - Greek military to acquire four Mark VI patrol boats for special operations in Aegean - According to information published by OnAlert on September 30, 2024, the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) is in advanced discussions with the U.S. to acquire four Mark VI patrol boats to strengthen Greece’s Special Amphibious Forces. According to reports, the deal is progressing through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, which offers military support to U.S. allies. Notably, the U.S. government plans to cover most, if not all, of the costs, as part of its military cooperation with Greece, which has supported Ukraine by providing ammunition during the ongoing conflict. Read more

Previous Months

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September