Modern Greek Army

[Angelo]

Velos System ready for delivery to Hellenic Air Force

Successful performance in site acceptance test

The Velos system is the air defence backbone of the Hellenic Air Force. In 2006 Rheinmetall Defence subsidiary Oerlikon Contraves finalized a contract to overhaul and upgrade the system so as to assure logistical support for the system in future, to train troops with advanced technology and simulators, and – thanks to Ahead 35 mm ammunition – to provide the Greek military with a unique capability against small targets such as cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and high-speed anti-radiation missiles. The radar's detection capabilities have been greatly improved, as has the complete human-machine interface technology. In addition, Oerlikon Contraves fitted the missile module with a new set of digital electronic pods.

The Velos fire unit consists of a Skyguard fire control system that controls two Oerlikon 35 mm guns as well as two missile launchers equipped with the medium range Sparrow missile. A long-range SUGI radar coordinates the systems, and a Link-11B has been introduced for full integration into the Greek air defence system.

The new Velos system has been fully qualified, including successful firing of the new Ahead ammunition against small drones.

The live fire event took place at the NAMFI firing range. The first Velos system, consisting of two fire units, successfully passed the site acceptance test and is ready for delivery to the Hellenic Air Force. The programme was carried in close and successful cooperation with the Hellenic defence establishment.

Source:

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[Angelo]

credit for info goes to Latinkon

Boeing presented F-18E/F Super Hornet to the Greek media, as a candidate jet fighter aircraft for the Hellenic Air Force.
It was presented as a 5th generation aircraft with a AESA radar. The APG-79 radar has similar or even better capabilities comp ared to APG-81 radar of the future F-35(according to Boeing).

As far as its capabilities against stealth aircrafts, Boeing said that the performance of its radar has better capabilities than the rest of the aircrafts in spotting low RCS targets.

The F-18E/F could be delivered by 2011 to HAF, and the price of the baseline configuration costs $53 millions.


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[Angelo]

Greek navy prioritises maritime patrol aircraft contest

By Craig Hoyle

Acquiring a new fleet of maritime patrol aircraft is now the top procurement priority for the Greek navy, with the nation's six Lockheed P-3B Orions nearing the end of their operating lives.

A €250 million ($342 million) budget has previously been identified to cover the purchase of a replacement fleet of five aircraft. But with the navy's requirement now covering a multirole type capable of performing maritime patrol, search and rescue and surveillance tasks and also equipped for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare duties, industry sources say the deal's value could be set to increase.

Candidate systems now include special mission variants of the Alenia Aeronautica-promoted ATR 72, Beriev's Be-200 amphibian, EADS Casa's C-295 and Embraer's EMB-145 regional jet.


© USAF


A previous US government offer to supply secondhand Lockheed S-3B Vikings has been rejected, along with a proposal from the manufacturer to upgrade Athens' existing P-3 fleet.

Alenia Aeronautica's ATR 72-based proposal will draw on elements of the anti-submarine warfare variant already sold to the Turkish navy and to enter service in 2010. Greece will be offered a tailored version of the design's Thales-sourced Amascos mission system, and the option to integrate undisclosed anti-ship weapons during the new contest, the company says.

Previously ordered by the Chilean navy, a maritime patrol development of the C-295 is being offered with the company's Fully Integrated Tactical System mission equipment. Beriev recently announced plans to sell a military development of the Be-200, citing interest from the Chinese and Russian navies.

Embraer's P-99 bid would offer airframe commonality with the Greek air force's four EMB-145-based airborne early warning and control system aircraft and EMB-135 transports. However, with the Brazilian company having previously sold only two EMB-145 maritime patrol aircraft to Mexico, Athens' multirole requirement represents a new and much broader mission set for the type.

"We believe a jet solution will be favoured," said Ricardo Marcelo Bester, Embraer's vice-president marketing and sales, defence and government market for Europe, the Middle East and Africa during the 7-11 October Defendory exhibition in Athens. Alenia Aeronautica officials counter that other recent acquisitions have favoured a turboprop solution, however.

Athens' current P-3s are assigned to the air force's 353 Sqn at Elefsis air base, but its navy is expected to form a new unit to operate the replacement fleet. The nation's defence ministry could launch a formal request for proposals for the deal within the next year, say industry sources.

Boeing does not expect to offer its 737-based P-8A multi-mission maritime aircraft, but is promoting a Boeing Business Jet solution for a separate requirement for three VIP and presidential transports.


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[Angelo]

Greece urged to commit to Apache upgrade, as air force eyes new utility model
By Craig Hoyle

Greece is being encouraged to within the next few months commit to a programme to modernise its 20 Boeing AH-64A Apache attack helicopters to the D-model configuration, with time running out before the US Army will stop supporting the legacy standard.

Athens urgently needs to commit limited funds to acquire long-lead items for the Block II upgrade, says Boeing, which cautions that 2010 "would be too late" for the nation to pursue the enhancements.

Approval for the remanufacturing work would ensure commonality with the US Army and other international users, and "clear the way for the Block III configuration [upgrade] in the future", says Joe McAndrew, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' vice-president business development for Europe, Israel and the Americas.


© RAF


The Greek army is awaiting the availability of 12 new AH-64D Apache Longbows that have been shipped to the country, but are the subject of an ongoing procedural problem. Boeing declines to provide further details.

Limited funds have meanwhile been released for the Greek army to modernise its CH-47D Chinook transport helicopters towards the F-model standard, with avionics enhancements and a Honeywell engine upgrade among its top priorities. An alternative would be for Athens to pursue a follow-on order for new-build Chinooks to be delivered by 2014, says McAndrew.

Separately, the Greek air force has shown early interest in acquiring a new fleet of utility helicopters to replace its Bell UH-1s and Eurocopter AS332/532 transports. Few details are known about the long-term requirement, but it is expected to include some aircraft capable of supporting combat search and rescue duties.

Possible candidates for the emerging requirement could include the AgustaWestland AW101, NH Industries NH90 and Sikorsky's H-92. Boeing has already ruled out an offer based on the Chinook, however.

Sikorsky sent its H-92 demonstrator to participate in the 7-11 October Defendory exhibition in Athens, conducting flight demonstrations for Greek air force search and rescue personnel before the event. The aircraft, which has completed a tour of nine European nations, will remain in Greece for several weeks before being flown to Abu Dhabi next month for demonstrations in several Gulf states.


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[Angelo]

On October 11, Defendory 2008, the world's longest-running tri-service defense exhibition involving about 500 companies from 40 countries, ended in Athens.

Russia's Almaz-Antey Air-Defense Concern, the Kurgan Engineering Plant, the Tula Instrument Design Bureau, the Omsk-based Popov Radio Plant Production Association, the Sukhoi Corporation, the Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) Corporation, Russian Helicopters and many other companies displayed their products in the Greek capital.

This year a Russian-made BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicle stole the show in Athens.

As a rule, Russian defense companies offer mock-ups, models, prospectuses, video footage and pamphlets at various arms exhibitions. Instead of showing life-size, prototype military equipment, they like to display small firearms and small combat-support systems.

Their reluctance to show off heavy weapons is understandable because it takes a lot of time and effort to deliver them to exhibition centers. Moreover, it is not always possible to show them in action because few exhibition centers have proving grounds.

On October 7, Russian and foreign media said to the press day at Defendory 2008, that Greece, a NATO member, was planning to buy 420 BMP-3Ms from Russia. Other official sources also confirmed these reports.

The BMP-3M, displayed in Athens, convinced everyone that it would boost the Greek Army's firepower.

In the mid-1990s, the German Government sold 400 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles and 13 Osa surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, formerly owned by East Germany, to Athens.

The Greek Government asked the Electromechanical Plant - Kupol in Izhevsk in Russia's Volga Federal District to upgrade the OSA SAM which was re-designated as the OSA-AKM. The Russians later sold another 16 Osa-AKMs to Athens.

Greek generals liked them so much that they also ordered several Thor-M1 short-range SAMs from the Kupol Plant.

A subsequent tender for the sale of long-range SAMs to Greece involved Raytheon Company, a major U.S. defense contractor and industrial corporation offering its Patriot PAC-3 missile system, and Russia's Almaz-Antey with its S-300-PMU-1 SAM.

Athens, which realized that Washington would not allow it to buy the world-famous Russian missile system, asked Cyprus that had acquired Russian-made T-80 main battle tanks and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to buy the S-300 and even promised to finance the purchase.

However, Turkey protested the agreement saying S-300 radar would jam those of its military and civilian planes operating from the Mediterranean coast near Antalya. They said they would prevent the sale of Russian SAMs to Cyprus.

Greece subsequently bought the S-300 delivery contract from Russia, while deciding not to purchase Patriot missiles. So, the entire Greek air-defense system, which is part of joint NATO air defenses, now comprises Russian-made weaponry.

The S-300 example shows that Brussels' reluctance to implement military-technical cooperation projects with Moscow under the pretext that Russian weapons are incompatible with NATO standards is absolutely unjustified.

The BMP-3M has greater maneuverability and packs a more devastating punch because it features the new 660-h.p. UTD-32T supercharged engine and a state of the art fire-control system that identifies enemy targets and effectively destroys them even when the vehicle is moving at high speed.

Rosoboronexport, Russia's largest state-owned arms exporter which is promoting the BMP-3M contract on the Greek market, is trying to convince Athens to participate in the manufacture of the infantry fighting vehicle, taking up 10, 15, or 20% of production, including the possibility of assembling the vehicle in Greece.

Mikhail Dmitriyev, Director of the Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service, said this was an attractive joint project. "Russian and Greek experts are now working together on this difficult project. We are convinced that the project will have a future, now that both sides are negotiating BMP-3M production in Greece," Dmitriyev told RIA Novosti.

French defense electronics firm Thales is ready to install its fire-control and thermal-imaging systems aboard BMP-3M IFVs. Other European companies have proposed the delivery of telecommunications systems and reactive armor for the BMP-3M project.

Russian companies are also ready to sell additional armor, the Shtora-1 system for defending against smart weapons and the Arena-E active-defense system. The Greek side will have options to choose from.

Military analysts said military-technical parameters were not the main source of resistance, and that some NATO countries were using various other pretexts for ousting Russia from the international economic cooperation system.

However, some NATO members prioritize military, financial and technical benefits, rather than time-serving political considerations. They are relying on Russia as a dependable and effective partner, while Moscow cherishes its reputation.


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[Angelo]

Greece’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft Competition
19-Oct-2008 14:03 EDT

Related Stories: Americas - USA, Boeing, C4ISR, EADS, Europe - Other, Finmeccanica, Lockheed Martin, Other Corporation, Pre-RFP, Russia, Specialty Aircraft


“European nations operating the P-3 may gravitate toward smaller maritime patrol aircraft …. Initial designs are even appearing in this class for executive jet aircraft equipped with maritime surveillance radars and related gear. Given that many nations’ maritime surveillance and attack requirements make the P-8’s range and endurance parameters unnecessary, it’s very possible that the EU’s moves will successfully bifurcate the global maritime patrol category into a broad class of nations who buy smaller aircraft, and an elite few with more extensive requirements who buy aircraft in the P-8A [Poseidon] class.”

Greece’s Hellenic Air Force currently operates 4 older P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft, which were delivered to the HAF from 1993 – 1996. They are reaching the limits of their airframe life, but options exist. The Orion has upgraded to P-3C designation, and has received a slew of updates since the P-3Bs were fielded. Efforts like Lockheed Martin’s reopening of P-3 wing production are even making it possible for countries like Norway to keep upgraded P-3 aircraft in service.

Greece has reportedly decided not to go this route, and at least EUR 250 million (abut $350 million) has reportedly been set aside for the winner of a 5-aircraft maritime patrol competition. Will the Greeks call on Poseidon once more, in order to protect their seas and mariners?

Greek MPA: The Competitors


ATR-72 ASW concept
(click to view full)They will not. Greece’s naval focus is limited to the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean, a sphere that is well within the capabilities of smaller and less expensive aircraft. A budget of about $350 million might buy 2 P-8As, plus spares and fielding support. It could not buy 5. In October 2008, Flight International reported that the budget for this purchase could increase, but:

“Boeing does not expect to offer its 737-based P-8A multi-mission maritime aircraft, but is promoting a Boeing Business Jet solution for a separate requirement for three VIP and presidential transports.”

An RFP is expected by the end of 2009, and viable candidates for the maritime patrol requirement reportedly include:

ATR-72MP (Alenia/EADS). This large twin-turboprop regional passenger aircraft has been developed into a maritime patrol variant that includes both integrated surveillance equipment and weapons carriage. Its use in civilian capacities creates an independent source of potential upgrades, troubleshooting, service networks, and trained personnel opportunities. In 2006, Turkey ordered 10 ATR-72MPAs; picking this aircraft would give Greece assured platform parity with its rival.


Be-200
(click to view full)Be200 (Beriev). Greece buys a lot of Russian defense equipment, from armored personnel carriers, to hovercraft, to advanced anti-aircraft missiles. The Beriev jet would be an interesting choice because it is a true amphibian that can land on water. It also comes with a fire-fighting mission module, something that might offer an attractive supplement to Greece’s Bombardier aircraft after the infamous 2007 fires. Beriev does not advertise a full maritime patrol variant, just a search and rescue variant.

If the competition involved only search and rescue aircraft, the Be-200 would have an exceptionally strong case. The Greek request also requires anti-submarine, anti-surface, and surveillance duties, however, which may prove problematic for the Russian design. There have been reports of a Be-40/Be-42 variant for maritime patrol since 1986, but the project’s status remains uncertain. Given Greece’s requirements for NATO commonality, it would also be fair to characterize a Greek Be-40 as a new variant when assessing development and delivery risks.


C-295-MPA concept
(click to view full)C-295MPA (EADS). Chile has ordered the C-295MP, a larger derivative of the CN-235MP Persuader that serves with a number of air forces. These aircraft offer good endurance in a small plane, and economical operating costs. The MPA version comes with an advanced surveillance system, and can carry torpedoes or Harpoon/ Exocet missile on underwing pylons. It does not appear to carry sonobuoy launchers.

The CN-235/C-295 family is in widespread use with a number of militaries as light transport aircraft, and versions of the smaller CN-235MP maritime patrol aircraft are already in service with 7 countries and the US Coast Guard. Greece doesn’t currently operate the C-235 family, however; it ordered Alenia’s C-27J as its light tactical transport instead.


P-99 MPA concept
(click to view full)P-99 (Embraer). Like the ATR-72, Embraer’s offer leverages an in-service, popular civilian platform. An unarmed variant of this ERJ-145 based martime patrol aircraft serves with Mexico. Greece currently operates the R-99A Erieye airborne early warning derivative, and uses the ERJ-145 as a VIP transport. Embraer can also be expected to compete in Greece’s VIP/Presidential transport solicitation, where they will offer a potent challenge to Boeing.

A P-99 purchase would offer fleet commonality, and a jet solution offers greater speed and hence coverage at the expense of sustained low-level flight. Greece’s preferences in this regard will either tip it toward the ATR/EADS turoprop solutions, or give the Embraer aircraft a strong advantage. Embraer’s site touts the new P-99 variant as being capable of carrying weapons, and their concept art even shows sonobuoy launchers; but Greece would be the aircraft’s launch customer. That creates customization opportunities, but it also makes that first buyer the guinea pig and bill-payer for platform development and integration issues.

Oct 2008: Rejected (?)


S-3B shows sonobuoy
launchers, refueling pod
(click to view full)The magazine also reports that Greece has rejected American offers of refurbished P-3s, as well as an interesting offer of second-hand S-3B Viking aircraft.

The S-3 is a twin-engine carrier jet whose mission is described simply as “sea control.” Their range fits well with Greece’s needs, and they come armed with advanced surveillance equipment plus the ability to carry torpedoes, missiles, sonobuoys – even refueling pods that let them act as aerial refueling tankers. The US Navy plans to phase out the S-3 by 2010, and is replacing them with MH-60R helicopters whose slow speed and reduced range will shrink the protective anti-submarine “bubble” around American carrier forces.

For Greece, the planes’ age and hard usage in carrier landings creates issues with spares, training, and operational costs. These issues combine to make an S-3B transfer unattractive as a long-term solution. If the current financial crisis pinches Greece’s defense procurement budgets sharply enough, however, a cheap enough S-3 transfer offer might begin to look attractive as a stopgap solution that would compete with P-3 re-winging and/or refurbishment.


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[elkienosis]

The Greek army is more advanced better equipped then any army that borders Greece. The only disadvantage that we have is that our main enemy will be supported by the USA and Brits in time of war. It was shown that during the invasion of Cyprus in 1974 the Brits were giving logistical info to the Turks and that the USA was planning the second invasion with intelligence they had through satellites

[Angelo]

The current edition of Defendory 2008 sees Alenia Aermacchi fully ready to offer to the Hellenic Air Force its Integrated Training System based on the New Generation M-346 Advanced/LIFTrainer, for the Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) programme. The participation of Alenia Aermacchi comes in the wake of the recent successful M-346 short listing in the two international Air Forces contests of UAE and Singapore after thorough and comprehensive flight evaluations.

The M-346 is a twin engine jet trainer designed to cover the Advanced/LIFT (Lead-In Fighter Training) phase of the combat pilots training syllabus. The aircraft embodies the latest “design-to-cost” and “design-to-maintain” concepts, with avionics modelled upon those of latest generation front line combat aircraft. The training qualities of the M-346 make also possible an efficient “Downloading” of flight hours from the Operational Conversion Unit phase. With the first pre-series aircraft, which took to the air at the beginning of July 2008, the M-346 is in the advanced industrialization phase and continues to gain momentum.

The M-346 programme is attracting increasing interest from potential international customers and partners. In addition to the Italian Air Force, UAE and Singapore, interesting opportunities exist on leading markets such as Saudi Arabia, Greece and Chile. Above all the Advanced European Jet Pilot Training programme still represents a great opportunity involving the air forces of nine countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, plus Italy itself). Several countries including Greece, Portugal, Poland and lately Chile have already declared their interest in participating in the M-346 programme through industrial cooperation agreements linked to the production phase.

Particularly Alenia Aermacchi has been actively pursuing, since a long time, the construction of a diversified involvement programme of the Hellenic industry in the M-346 New Generation Advanced/LIFTrainer programme. The involvement of the Hellenic industry, designed to be in full compliance with the new Country regulations about the defence acquisition, will assure an important transfer of the know-how and state of the art technologies and a profitable long lasting participation in a genuine international aviation project. (Avionews)


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[Angelo]

Originally Posted by elkienosis
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The Greek army is more advanced better equipped then any army that borders Greece. The only disadvantage that we have is that our main enemy will be supported by the USA and Brits in time of war. It was shown that during the invasion of Cyprus in 1974 the Brits were giving logistical info to the Turks and that the USA was planning the second invasion with intelligence they had through satellites

Yes i agree we are the better equipped military in the region,we just need to purchase some more artillery pieces and we will be ok.

I dont think anybody in region would ever think about attacking us ,its suicide they will get crushed in a few days.

[Angelo]

Signal Hellas will provide the general support and upgrade of the DA08 and WM22 antennas of two Kasturi class corvettes of the Malaysian Navy.


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credit kornet-E