Order for four MH-60R Seahawks for Greece finalised
The US Navy has placed an order with Lockheed Martin for four MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopters that will find their way to Greece. The Naval Air Systems Command ordered the helicopters through the US Foreign Military Sales Programme on 26 October 2020. The quartet is worth USD 194 million and also includes three airborne low-frequency sonar systems to be used by the Seahawks. The four Seahawks will be delivered by February 2025.
The possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of the MH-60R to Greece was approved by the US State Department on 12 July 2019.
The MH-60R is the US Navy’s maritime strike and anti-submarine helicopter. The helicopter type also has been exported to the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Danish Air Force, and the Royal Saudi Navy. Greece is the fifth operator and has stated an intent to procure seven MH-60R Seahawks. Other nations intent on procuring the MH-60R are the Republic of Korea, India and Taiwan, which have announced plans for 12, 24 and 8 helicopters, respectively.
The Hellenic Navy is currently equipped with three S-70B, eight S-70B-6 AegeanHawks and seven AB212ASWs, all based at Marathon/Kotroni air base (Greece). It is not yet known if the new Greek Romeos will be added to the existing helicopter fleet or replace the eldery AB212ASW helicopters.
Photo: Jan Beima (Scramble Magazine Archive)