Greek military turns down US defense equipment due to obsolescence
A view of Greek frigate 'Hydra', set to depart in coming days, after Greek government approved the country's participation in the EU naval mission in the Red Sea, at Salamina naval base, Greece, February 26, 2024. Reuters)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s letter to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in January, which paved the way for Greece’s participation in the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program, has faced obstacles due to the age of the proposed equipment.
According to Greece’s Kathimerini newspaper, citing unnamed sources, the Hellenic Navy rejected the acquisition of LCS-class warships from the U.S. under the EDA Program. This decision, approved by the General Staff, was due to the proposed ships being older than what was initially described in the program.
In a joint inspection by the U.S. and Greece, it was also found that 62 Bradley armored vehicles listed in the program were in poor condition. The high investment required to make these vehicles combat-ready led to the decision to forgo their acquisition.
Furthermore, the maintenance costs for C-130-H transport aircraft included in the program are expected to be high.
In January, Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced that Greece had entered the path to purchasing F-35 jets, following a letter from Secretary Blinken. Mitsotakis stated, “With this letter, Greece is on the path to acquiring 40 F-35s, while also obtaining a weapons package that strengthens all three branches of the Armed Forces and the Hellenic Coast Guard, completely free of charge.”
In his letter to Mitsotakis, Blinken indicated the need for formal approval processes, including Congress approval. He noted that Greece would receive up to 40 new F-35s, along with three Protector-class coast guard boats, various military trucks, and trailers under the EDA Program.
Blinken also mentioned that they would notify Congress regarding the provision of four excess LCS-class warships from the U.S. Navy to Greece.
Additionally, Blinken’s letter stated that the U.S. Department of Defense was conducting price and quantity assessments for Greece to acquire C-130H transport aircraft, as well as considering the C-130J model.
