The State Department has decided to approve a possible sale to Greece of 35 "Black hawk" helicopters, which Greece has been waiting for a long time.
This is a $1.9 billion project and, according to the announcement, will replace the helicopters available to the Greek army and will greatly improve the army's operational capabilities.
For the US, this is in the US security interest since Greece is a key NATO ally and plays an important role in stability and in promoting peace and prosperity throughout the region.
For this particular arms program, an official notification has gone to Congress. And it is the same "letter" that has been sent for the F-35.
Capabilities of the helicopter:
The Black Hawk is a helicopter that the Americans have evolved through their battlefield experience.
It is the helicopter that has carried out over 84% of the air missions in Iraq, Afghanistan or wherever American forces have operated.
It is capable even if it gets stuck or loses its hydraulics due to failure, of continuing to fly for about 30 minutes at an altitude of 4,000 feet and transporting the military section with its full load to safety within the field. And even if it loses one of its two engines, it can continue to fly on one.
The UH-60M Black Hawk, a helicopter that can have its crew take on multiple missions is capable of reaching speeds of even 170 miles per hour.
