Game-Changer for Greek Air Force: Athens Eyes Budget Hike and AW139 Helicopter Integration Under SAFE

A strategic upgrade of Greece’s airborne search and rescue (SAR) capabilities is on the table, as Athens is reportedly preparing to include the acquisition of 14 Leonardo AW139 helicopters in the European SAFE (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) framework.

This procurement, valued at approximately €400 million, is being explored as part of a broader reshaping of national defense priorities, with the Greek Ministry of Defense considering not only the acceleration of previously scheduled programs but also a potential expansion of its total SAFE-related borrowing capacity beyond €4 billion—depending on the country’s fiscal bandwidth.

Why the AW139 Fleet Matters

The AW139 multirole helicopter, already operated by European nations such as Italy and Slovenia, is seen as a modern replacement for the aging AB-205 and AB-212 helicopters, which are increasingly unable to meet the operational demands of contemporary SAR and combat-SAR missions—especially at night or in harsh weather conditions.

The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) has expressed strong support for the platform, which is already partially integrated into the Greek firefighting capability, following a separate 2024 procurement of three units by the Fire Service under the “AIGIS” civil protection program.

Should Greece proceed, the purchase will be executed via a direct government-to-government agreement with Italy, with first deliveries expected within 24 months. The package includes:

• A five-year Follow-On Support (FOS) contract ensuring 85% fleet availability
• Initial spare parts and ground support equipment
• Full training for both pilots and technicians
• Acquisition of a Full Motion Flight Simulator (FMS) for in-country training
• Technical assistance and potential industrial offset agreements involving local defense companies

Two Helicopter Configurations to Enhance Operational Flexibility

The proposed fleet will be delivered in two mission-specific configurations:

• 10 SAR-standard AW139s for conventional rescue missions
• 4 C-SAR (Combat SAR) versions, equipped with additional survivability systems, including:
  • Full ballistic protection
  • Reduced acoustic and thermal signatures
  • Onboard defensive armament
  • Enhanced avionics and situational awareness suites

All 14 helicopters are expected to feature Link-16 terminals, enabling real-time data sharing with Hellenic Air Force fighter aircraft and Navy surface combatants—a significant force-multiplier for joint operations.

Budget Prioritization Under SAFE: A New Direction

As Athens prepares its formal SAFE program submission to the European Commission this fall, the AW139 acquisition has emerged as a top-tier candidate for early funding.

While the helicopters have not yet been included in Greece’s Long-Term Armament Plan (LTAP), defense officials view the platform as fully aligned with the strategic criteria set by SAFE:

• It strengthens Europe’s industrial base (Leonardo is a European OEM)
• It offers interoperability with EU and NATO allies
• It enhances dual-use capabilities, applicable in both peacetime SAR and combat environments
• It supports domestic industry participation, with Leonardo reportedly ready to sign cooperation agreements with Greek aerospace firms

The Bigger Picture: Replacing the Aging Fleet

Currently, Greece’s SAR missions are performed by a combination of Super Puma helicopters—under contract until 2028—and the aging AB-series helicopters, which are increasingly seen as operationally obsolete. Their limited capacity for night ops and severe weather deployments is a major vulnerability, especially given Greece’s maritime geography and frequent natural disasters.

The introduction of AW139s would revolutionize the HAF’s search and rescue fleet, providing multi-theater flexibility, reduced maintenance burden, and advanced situational awareness tools—all essential for the missions of the 2030s and beyond.

A Tactical Investment with Strategic Payoff

As Greece redefines its defense posture under the SAFE mechanism, the proposed AW139 acquisition stands as a cornerstone of a new era in aerial mobility and operational resilience. With the groundwork laid for funding, industry cooperation, and delivery, all eyes now turn to Athens to formally greenlight the move—a decision that would not only boost national capability but also deepen European defense integration.

Source: pagenews.gr