State Department Approves Possible Sale of MH-60R Helicopters to Greece

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter shoots a Hellfire missile during exercise Baltic Operations 2019. The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of MH-60Rs to Greece. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Theodore Green

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of MH-60R helicopters to the Hellenic navy at the request of the Greek government, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a July 12 release. The sale, if ultimately approved, would be made through the Foreign Military Sales program and could total $600 million.

“The government of Greece has requested to buy up to seven MH-60Rs Multi-Mission Helicopters,” the release said.

The sale also would include aircraft systems and spares, including T700 GE-401 C Engines; APS-l 53(V) radars; Airborne Low Frequency Sonar systems; AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems; and Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module.

Also included in the possible sale are ARC-210 APX-1990A(C) radios; AVS-9 Night Vision Devices; and APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders.

The deal also would include “spare engine containers; facilities study, design, and construction; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communication equipment; ferry support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support,” the release said.

Along with the helicopters, the sale would include 1,000 SSQ-36/53/62 sonobuoys; two AGM-114 M36-E9 Captive Air Training Missiles; four AGM-114Q Hellfire Training Missiles; 100 Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) rockets; 30 Mk54 Torpedoes; 12 M-240 crew-served guns; and 12 GAU-21 crew-served guns.

“This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally, which is an important partner for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the release said. “The MH-60R helicopters will bolster the Hellenic navy’s ability to support NATO and remain interoperable with the U.S. and the NATO alliance.” In addition to the U.S. Navy, the MH-60R, built by Lockheed Martin, is operated by the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Danish Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. In April, the State Department approved the possible sale of 24 MH-60Rs to the Indian navy.