Greece reaches agreement on refurbishing maritime aircraft

The Hellenic Air Force has been forced to ground its fleet of Lockheed Martin P-3 Orions for several years, mostly because of obsolesence. Now, with the US State Department having on 7 October approved a requested $500 million modernisation deal, Greece may regain maritime patrol capabilities.

This solution is judged by many as the most economical and operationally viable, as the request for more modern versions like P-3Cs retired from USN service floundered when these proved to be in a sad state of disrepair.

Purchases of new aircraft proved to be too expensive for available funding, and would also mean longer times until they could be pressed into service operationally.

To be performed by Lockheed via the Foreign Military Sales process, the move opens the door for Greece to overhaul and upgrade the aircraft, and purchase associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) says.

"The proposed sale for overhaul and upgrade would allow the Hellenic navy to resume operations of its P-3B aircraft for land-based maritime patrol and reconnaissance, surveillance and protection of areas of national interest," it adds.

Greece’s government requested the potential sale in order to modify and reactivate two P-3Bs and upgrade five P-3Bs that are in service, the State Department says. The aircraft would receive mid-life upgrades (MLU), phased depot maintenance, mission integration and management systems and new avionics systems.

“The MLU kits will provide service life extensions for 15,000 flight hours," the DSCA says.