The Greek government intends to order NH Industries NH90 utility helicopters and Boeing AH-64D Apaches in a €2.1 billion ($2.1 billion) army aviation and naval equipment acquisition programme.
It has set aside €659 million for the Apaches and g683 million for the NH90s, expected to be sufficient for 12 and 42 machines respectively. The remainder of the money will be allocated for a Thales upgrade of six frigates and acquiring a corvette from the UK's Vosper Thorneycroft.
The Apaches will join 20 AH-64As in service, with the deal expected to include four options. Neither acquisition is as large as the army requires. It has expressed a requirement for 24 new attack helicopters and 80 utility machines.
Athens has cut back its defence spending to pay for the 2004 Olympics and to cover "social funding" - last year its Eurofighter Typhoon order was postponed for the same reason.
Source: Flight International