The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has issued a press release about a possible sale of five ex-US Army CH-47D Chinooks transport helicopters to Greece.

These follow 10 more that Greece bought a year ago, which are under delivery.

The Greek Armed Forces are also in the process of acquiring 70 ex-US Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed reconnaissance helicopters, a program that enters its final stages as we speak, since the Committee that will choose the helicopters has been put together.

As the tensions with Turkey grow and as instability reappears in the horizon in the Balkans with FYROM, Albania and Serbia exchanging some harsh statements, the Greek Armed Forces are ready for everything.

This is the press release regarding the five Chinooks:

WASHINGTON, Apr. 28, 2017 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Greece for CH-47D helicopters. The estimated cost is $80 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 27, 2017.

The Government of Greece requested the possible sale of five (5) CH-47D helicopters, seven (7) Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (one (1) for each aircraft plus two (2) spares), and twelve (12) T55-GA-714A turbine engines (two (2) for each aircraft plus two (2) spares). Also included are mission equipment, communications and navigation equipment, ground support equipment, special tools and test equipment, spares, publications, Maintenance Work Order/Engineering Change Proposals (MWO/ECPs), technical support, and training, and other associated support equipment and services. The total estimated cost is $80 million.

This proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress. Greece intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces by increasing its rotary-wing transport capability. This will contribute to the Greek military’s goal to upgrade its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between Greece, the U.S. and other allies.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not alter the basic military balance in the region.

There is no principal contractor as the systems will be coming from U.S. Army stocks. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Greece for equipment de-processing/fielding, system checkout and new equipment training.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

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This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department’s Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

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