Greece to acquire 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters
Sikorsky gets the US government order
A Lockheed Martin company, Sikorsky, has won a US government contract to provide Greece with 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The deal encompasses the aircraft for the Hellenic Army, personnel training, training equipment, and an initial provisioning package.
The move is set to enhance Greece’s self-defence capabilities and improve interoperability with NATO allies.
The new fleet will complement Greece’s existing upgraded F-16Vs, newly acquired MH-60Rs, and other military aircraft, enhancing the nation’s capabilities across air, land, and sea operations.
The multi-role Black Hawk’s operational flexibility will allow Greece to conduct various missions in challenging environments, significantly boosting survivability and effectiveness in modern security scenarios.
Costas Papadopoulos, International Business Development Executive Director for Greece at Lockheed Martin, said: “The Black Hawk helicopter is the workhorse of multi-mission medium lift aircraft and will enable Greece to perform key operations in the region.”
“Our partnership with Greece spans decades, and we are pleased to see the nation’s continued trust in Sikorsky helicopters,” stated Hamid Salim, Sikorsky’s Vice President of Army and Air Force Systems. “Greece will benefit from an integrated family of Hawk aircraft supporting national security and humanitarian missions.”
12th European customer
Greece will be the 12th European country to operate the Black Hawk helicopter. In 2024 alone, the US government awarded Sikorsky contracts for 84 UH-60M Black Hawks to various countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
Recently, Sikorsky also secured contracts to expand Black Hawk fleets in Austria, Brazil, Sweden, and Thailand, with earlier contracts this year for Croatia and Jordan, along with Romania’s enhancements to its S-70 Black Hawk fleet. The ongoing expansion of the Black Hawk programme underscores its critical role in international defence cooperation and modern military operations.
The Black Hawk is widely recognised as the most versatile utility helicopter globally. Four thousand units operate across 36 countries, amassing 15 million flight hours, including over five million in combat.
The aircraft has navigated numerous combat zones, transported troops, provided lifesaving medevac services, delivered essential supplies and emergency aid during disasters, and acted as an aerial firefighter and border patrol unit.
Equipped with advanced digital avionics, powerful GE engines, durable airframe structures, and composite wide-chord rotor blades, the Black Hawk boasts enhanced survivability, situational awareness, and superior performance in altitude and cargo capacity compared to earlier models.
Featured image: The Black Hawk is widely recognised as the most versatile utility helicopter globally. Credit: Sikorsky
