The historically high level of Greek-American relations, as reflected by the signing of the renewed Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement and the speech of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Congress, is confirmed by the significant presence of American companies at DEFEA 2023.

It is no coincidence, after all, that the American army participates in the International Defense and Security Exhibition with some of the most advanced weapons systems at its disposal, which are, in fact, at the center of operations both in the war zones of Ukraine and in other regions of the world , but also some of them in the “target” of the Greek Armed Forces.

HIMARS and Black Hawk

Known for their effectiveness, US M142 HIMARS missile launchers manufactured by Lockheed Martin will reportedly be based at DEFEA. The powerful weapon system remains at the center of interest, both for its successes on the battlefields and after the announcement by the companies Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall of the joint development of a German defense missile system, equivalent to HIMARS.
The UH-60M Helicopter, the legendary Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin Black Hawk, is expected to play a leading role. It is one of the most popular military helicopters in the world, with more than 5,000 units in service in 35 countries. The helicopter that will come to Greece will belong to the “Mike” version, with this type having more than 15 million flight hours and more than 4 million hours in a combat environment.

The Black Hawk is, after all, in the “crosshairs” of the Greek Armed Forces to replace the aging UH-1 Huey of the Army, while it participates in the selection process of the Air Force as a Search and Rescue helicopter. The Navy already uses a variant of this particular helicopter, the S-70 Aegean Hawk, and in the coming months the even more modern anti-submarine MH-60 Romeos, of the same “family” of helicopters, are expected in Greece. The General Directorate of Defense Equipment and Investments has already sent the relevant request (LoR for LoA) for the Army helicopters and is waiting for Washington’s response.

Impressive American presence

At DEFEA 2023, the M270 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) known to the Greek Armed Forces will be present in its most modern version, the A2, with a new fire control system, which allows the use of Precision Strike Missiles ) 600 hp engine, upgraded transmission system and better cabin armor. According to information, the US military intends to upgrade its entire fleet of 225 M270A1s as well as 160 decommissioned M270A0s to the A2 version.

DEFEA

Visitors to the exhibition will also have the opportunity to learn about the Oshkosh JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) tactical wheeled vehicle used by the US Army, Marines and Special Operations Command. In fact, it is one of the vehicles – carriers of the Israeli Spike NLOS system, which the Greek Armed Forces will soon have. The largest vehicle of the American Oshkosh company, FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) used by the US Army, is expected with particular interest.

American TOMA

The US Army will also present the powerful M1134 TOW Carrier ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle) of the Stryker family of vehicles, a modern Armored Combat Vehicle (AGM) used as a primary anti-tank weapon and has remarkable capabilities against armored threats as it is equipped with TOW missiles. Those at DEFEA will also see the American version of Textron’s M1117 Guardian, which was recently put into service with the Greek Armed Forces. Athens is set to receive a total of 1,200 vehicles of this type through the EDA program, with hundreds already received and the rest arriving in the coming months.

As part of the upgraded Athens-Washington defense cooperation, the Metropolitan Expo will feature major American companies such as Aviation Procurement Systems, BAE Systems, Boeing, D&M Ammunition Manufacturing Solution, Dillon Aero, Erickson Inc., General Atomis Aeronautical, Lockheed Martin, Onex, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, State of Missouri International Trade & Investment, EWR Radar Systems, Masterclock, Textron Aviation Inc., Titanium Industries, Velos Rotors Inc ., By-Linear/By-Light, Summit Aviation Inc., Alpha Systems, Air Industrial – G. Alexandris and Join Stock Co., Total View, Aeroservices, S3 Aerodefense, Northrop Grumman and Cubit Digital Intelligence.