Hamid Salim, vice president of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, highlighted the long-standing partnership between Greece and Sikorsky, which spans decades. He noted that the Black Hawk helicopters will enhance Greece’s capabilities in national security and humanitarian missions, integrating into a global ecosystem of over 5,000 Hawk aircraft used by 36 countries.
Costas Papadopoulos, Lockheed Martin’s international business development executive director for Greece, underscored the importance of this contract in strengthening Greece’s military operations. He stated that the Black Hawk helicopters will complement Greece’s existing fleet, which includes upgraded F-16Vs, new MH-60Rs, and C-130s, enhancing air, land, and sea operational capabilities.
With the addition of the new Black Hawks, Greece will operate multiple variants of the Hawk family, allowing for greater operational efficiency and sustainment advantages. The Black Hawk’s flexibility to conduct diverse operations in challenging environments is expected to increase the survivability and effectiveness of Greece’s military missions.
Lockheed Martin’s partnership with Greece has continued for over 80 years, with the company poised to support the nation’s defence needs through various platforms, including F-35s and C-130s. Greece will become the 12th European nation to operate the Black Hawk, joining a growing list of countries enhancing their military capabilities with this versatile helicopter.
In 2024 alone, the U.S. Government has awarded Sikorsky contracts for a total of 84 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters across multiple regions, affirming the helicopter’s status as a leading multi-role utility aircraft. Recent contract awards have also been secured in countries such as Austria, Brazil, Sweden, and Thailand, further solidifying the Black Hawk’s global presence in modern military operations.
