Greek Navy to Receive Last MH-60R Helicopters Within Weeks
by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City TimesThe Hellenic Navy will have all seven of its new MH-60R helicopters within weeks, after two more anti-submarine aircraft arrived at Elefsina aboard a US military transport plane.
A US C-17 Globemaster III carried the pair across the Atlantic to the 112 Combat Wing as part of a joint US Air Force and US Navy airlift. The last two MH-60R helicopters of the order are due in Greece within the next fortnight.
At Elefsina, the new pair will undergo acceptance tests. First, crews will activate their systems and take initial ground measurements, and then the aircraft will make their first flight.
What the Romeo helicopters bring
Sikorsky makes the type, known as the Romeo, which ranks among the most modern submarine hunters in service. The US Navy also flies it in the same configuration.
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Each aircraft carries a dipping sonar and sonobuoys to track submarines. In addition, the Greek MH-60R helicopters carry MK-46 torpedoes, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and Penguin anti-ship missiles.
They also have a second-generation FLIR thermal camera. A data link lets crews share the tactical picture with other units, such as the FDI frigates.
The Romeos will serve as the organic helicopters of the new FDI frigates, which carry CAPTAS-4 variable-depth sonar and Kingklip MK2 hull sonar. They will also fly from the Italian Bergamini frigates the Navy plans to acquire soon.
Older helicopters to retire
Together with planned autonomous seabed and surface systems, the MH-60R helicopters will work alongside upgraded P-3HN Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The first upgraded Orion arrived in June.
As the Romeos enter service, the Hellenic Navy will begin retiring its AB-212 helicopters, which have flown since 1979. With the seven MH-60R helicopters and the S-70 Aegean Hawk, its fleet will number more than 10 modern helicopters.
Those aircraft will handle search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare. However, the new squadron is not expected to reach full operational capability until the first half of 2027.
Until then, training is intensifying on S-100 and A-900 unmanned helicopters for the Navy’s main surface ships.
Source: KATHIMERINI
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