The United States has approved the transfer of 35 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and additional military equipment to Greece, worth a total of $1.95 billion, as Greek rival Turkey continues to call for F-16 fighter jets from Washington.
US-Greece deal to supply 35 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 15 December that the deal includes UH-60 M (Black Hawk) helicopters and other military weapons such as mini-guns, machine guns, rockets, advanced electronic uniforms, training and logistical support.
Sikorsky, will be the prime contractor on the deal.
The development is significant as Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced earlier in July that the nation planned to increase its defense spending by about $12.62 billion over the next four years.
He also said 19 major procurements were planned for the next four years, including the upgrade of 37 F-16 Block 50 aircraft and acquisition of at least 20 F-35 fighter jets.
Greece signed a deal with French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation to buy 18 Rafales in January 2021. However, another deal was signed in March 2022 for six more aircraft, bringing the total number to 24.
In addition, Athens has also sent a formal request to the United States for the purchase of 20 fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighters.
Greek military modernisation is moving up a level
Speaking at a plenary session on the political agenda of the newly formed government, the Greek defense minister also noted that the capabilities of the Greek armed forces will be significantly enhanced, with the acquisition of three FDI frigates, 24 Rafale fighter jets. from France, and 83 additional modified F-16 fighters in VIPER.
In addition, the KYSEA, chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, approved the purchase of Israeli SPIKE NLOS missile systems on March 29.
Greece, a NATO member, spends more than 2% of its GDP on defense and has undertaken a comprehensive modernization of its military in the wake of tensions with another NATO ally, Turkey, which have been at a peak over the past two years.
The Greek-Turkish rapprochement
For many years, Greece and Turkey have been at odds over a number of issues, including energy resources, the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, overflights in the Aegean Sea and the extent of their continental shelf and maritime boundaries.
Αυτές οι γενικές εντάσεις αρχίζουν επιτέλους να εξαφανίζονται σταδιακά. Στις 7 Δεκεμβρίου, η Ελλάδα και η Τουρκία αποφάσισαν να ανοικοδομήσουν τη σχέση τους και εκπόνησαν ένα σχέδιο ενίσχυσης των σχέσεών τους.
During a historic visit, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the Greek Prime Minister agreed to increase trade volumes, work on issues that have kept them apart, particularly in the Aegean, focus on pursuing good neighbourly relations, maintain open lines of communication and seek military confidence-building measures to eliminate sources of tension.
Just a day later, the purchase of US helicopters and other military equipment was announced. The move signaled that military modernization and acquisitions made by Athens are therefore expected to continue despite the thawing of tensions with Ankara.
However, there is a substantial difference in Greece's relations with the US-EU and Turkey's with regard to military armaments.
While Greece continues to add more air power by purchasing fighter aircraft from its NATO allies France and the United States and upgrading its existing fighter fleet, Turkey is finding it difficult to acquire F-16s from the US in addition to being forced out of the F-35 stealth fighter program due to the procurement of the Russian S-400.
Turkey asks for F-16 and Eurofighter
Turkey said on Dec. 16 that it expects the United States to act quickly and decisively on the F-16 fighter jet deal.
Ankara needs the upgraded F-16s not only for practical reasons but also for strategic reasons.
The aging F-16s need an urgent upgrade, especially because the F-35 is a pipe dream, and Turkey's next-generation fighter currently under development, the KAAN, will not be ready for several years.
However, the deal needs approval from the US Congress, which is not imminent.
Meanwhile, Turkey has started talks with European states to buy the more advanced variant of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon. It has been in talks with the consortium building the fighter, including the UK, Spain and Germany. However, talks have stalled due to German refusal.
Güler noted that allies should have a good understanding of Turkey's global and regional role and thus immediately abandon such restrictive practices
"We stress that a strong Turkey with a strong Armed Forces (TSK) means a strong NATO and a strong alliance in the fight against terrorism," he noted.
He finally said that Turkey plans to buy 40 Eurofighters, 20 of which will be first generation and 20 of which will be the upgraded model.
Erdogan's plan to acquire 40 F-16 BLOCK-70 and 40 EUROFIGHTERs at the same time
Recently, Erdogan "blew the whistle" on the purchase of 355 aircraft from Airbus, in an attempt to "tie up" the purchase of 40 Eurofighters.
At the same time, knowing that the main arguments of the US Congress for not selling the F-16 BLOCK-70 were not to use them against an allied country, such as Greece, which Turkey threatens, but also for Ankara to advocate for Sweden's entry into NATO, the Turkish President changed tactics.
This resulted in the visit to Athens on 7 October, the signing of agreements between Greece and Turkey on 'low politics' and the 'Declaration of Friendship and Good Neighbourliness' between the two countries, which is not, however, binding and does not, however, withdraw Turkey from its claims against us.
Therefore, Erdogan has gained a serious argument against the US in his attempt to get the F-16 BLOCK-70s, that since I get along with Greece with whom we are "Friends and Good Neighbours", I do not threaten them.
From the above we understand that Erdogan is throwing "Big Dice" at the US and UK simultaneously, seeking to acquire both the 40 F-16 BLOCK-70s from the US and the Eurofighters at the same time.
A teteo development would have the effect of tipping the Aegean-NE Mediterranean air balance in Turkey's favour from 2026 onwards, while mortgaging British support for the Cyprus settlement a la turka.
