Hellenic Army Armament Programs

Hellenic Army Armament Programs

The Hellenic Army is undergoing a substantial and multifaceted modernization initiative, part of a broader effort by the Hellenic Armed Forces to enhance Greece’s defense capabilities amid evolving regional security challenges. These programs cover nearly every aspect of the army’s operations, from ground vehicles and helicopters to infantry equipment and loitering munitions.

Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs)

A flagship program involves the procurement of 205 new tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) for mechanized battalions. These will significantly improve the mobility and protection of infantry units on the modern battlefield. Additionally, 100 new wheeled IFVs are being sought to provide versatile, rapid deployment capabilities for infantry formations.

On 26 March 2025, KNDS France and Greece’s Metlen Energy & Metals signed an exclusive partnership to locally produce the VBCI Philoctetes IFV. The deal includes technology transfer and manufacturing in Volos, marking KNDS’s first large-scale 8×8 vehicle partnership and aiming to support Greek and broader European defense needs.

M113 APCs upgrade

The Hellenic Army is interested in upgrading its fleet of M113 APCs including installation of unmanned remote controlled towers that can be equipped with a minimum of a 12.7 mm machine gun as well as the upgrade of the steering system, electronics, engine and armor. Candidate companies are considered the Israeli ELBIT Systems, RAFAEL and IMI, the UK BAE Systems, the US company TECMOTIV.

Anti-Tank Weapon Systems

To bolster long-range anti-armor capabilities, the Hellenic Army came to an agreement with Israel’s Rafael for SPIKE NLOS (Non-Line of Sight) systems. These are precision-guided and can strike at extended ranges, enhancing Greek deterrence. Plans are underway to replace legacy Soviet-era RPG-18s, FAGOTs, and MILAN systems, along with outdated U.S.-made LAWs, with modern short and medium-range anti-tank weapons. These replacements aim to ensure that infantry forces are equipped with reliable and advanced systems for close and middle-aged engagements.

Mortar Systems and Rifles

New Mortars 20mm: The army will replace old mortars mounted on M106A1/A2 carriers with modern 120mm mortars integrated into armored platforms, greatly enhancing indirect firepower and mobility.

Modern Rifles Acquisition: An initial 10,000 new rifles are planned to replace the aging Heckler & Koch G3A3 rifles, with an additional 10,000 to be purchased by the end of the decade. The first phase is budgeted at €20 million.

Alongside new acquisitions, 10,000 G3A3 rifles will undergo modernization in collaboration with the state

owned Hellenic Defense Systems, extending their service life and improving their performance.

TRG M10 Sniper Rifles: The Hellenic Ministry of National Defence has awarded the Greek defense contractorATESE a significant contract valued at €4,528,370.93 for the procurement of 90 TRG M10 sniper rifles.

These rifles will be used by the Hellenic Army Special Forces to enhance their operational capabilities and precision during missions. The TRG M10 sniper rifle is a highly advanced and versatile weapon system developed by Sako (a Finnish firearms manufacturer). It is part of the TRG series, which is known for its precision and modular design.

Below are some of the key features of the TRG M10: Modular Design Multi-Caliber System: The TRG M10 features a modular design that allows for quick caliber changes. This gives the rifle the flexibility to switch between various calibers like .308 Winchester, .338 Lapua Magnum, and .300 Norma Magnum, depending on the mission requirements.

Armored Personnel Carriers and Utility Vehicles

M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicles (ASVs): Greece is acquiring 1,200 second-hand M1117 ASVs from U.S. surplus stock at just €70,000 per vehicle. While the units are unarmed, their cost-effectiveness and availability of spare parts make them a valuable asset. Armament like machine guns and grenade launchers will be locally added.

Replacement of Light Utility Vehicles: Plans are in place to replace 10,000 aging Mercedes and Steyr trucks and jeeps, with a budget of €550 million. Several international manufacturers have expressed interest, including Nexter (France), Oshkosh (USA), Iveco (Italy), and Plasan (Israel).

NH90 transport helicopters

On April 8, 2021, the Sixth Amendment to Contract No. 034A/03 was signed, concerning the supply of 16 NH90 transport helicopters—specifically, four NH90s configured for special operations and four with medical evacuation kits. The agreement was signed between the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence and NH Industries.

UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters

Greece Enhances its Hawk Fleet with Purchase of 35 UH 60M Black Hawk Helicopters from Lockheed Martin. The U.S. Government has awarded Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, a Foreign Military Sale contract to provide 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Greece. The deal includes 35 aircraft for the Hellenic Army as well as personnel training, training equipment and an initial provisioning package, which will significantly improve self

defense and bolster interoperability within the nation and with NATO allies.

“Our partnership with Greece spans decades, and we are pleased to see the nation’s continued trust in Sikorsky helicopters as Greece will benefit from an integrated Hawk family of aircraft supporting national security and humanitarian missions,” said Hamid Salim, Sikorsky vice president of Army and Air Force Systems. “The Black Hawk helicopter offers

Greece a range of operational capabilities and a global ecosystem of more than 5,000 Hawk aircraft operated by 36 countries around the world. “The newly contracted UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters are an additional testament for the long-standing relationship Lockheed Martin shares with Greece, its Armed Forces and defense industries for over 80 years,” said Costas Papadopoulos, international business development executive director for Greece at Lockheed Martin. “The Black Hawk helicopter is the workhorse of multi-mission medium lift aircraft and will enable Greece to perform key operations in the region. These helicopters will join Greece’s upgraded F-16Vs, new MH-60Rs, existing F-16s, C-130s, and S-70Bs, as well as future F-35s. This enhanced fleet will provide Greece with extended capabilities for air, land, and sea operations, contributing to the nation’s security for years to come.” With its existing S-70B fleet and newly acquired MH-60R maritime helicopters for the Hellenic Navy, Greece will operate several variants of the Hawk family and benefit from the operational and sustainment advantages of fleet commonality. The Black Hawk has flexibility to conduct a variety of operations at greater ranges and in the most challenging environments, increasing survivability and overall effectiveness for 21st Century Security® missions.

Combat Engineering Vehicles

An international tender was launched for the acquisition of 12 used AECVs with a budget of €24 million. These vehicles are essential for clearing roads, obstacles, and disaster response missions. Germany’s FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH is among the companies participating. Their offerings include the WiSENT 1 and 2, and recovery modules for platforms like Boxer and ACSV G5, demonstrating broad experience in vehicle modernization and engineering platforms.

Loitering Munition Capabilities

Switchblade Drones Acquisition: Greece is entering the loitering munitions domain with a deal to procure 590 Switchblade drones from the U.S. company AeroVironment, funded partially through U.S. Foreign Military Financing.

Switchblade 300 (Lightweight/Short Range): Ideal for infantry use, offering 20 minutes of flight and 10 km range. The upgraded Block 20 version includes a new fire control unit and EO/IR optics for real-time reconnaissance and strike capability.
Switchblade 600 (Medium Range): Equipped with a high-explosive anti-armor warhead, this system offers 40+ km range and 40 minutes of loiter time, with the ability to strike armored vehicles. It features EO/IR gimbaled sensors, precision guidance, and re-attack capability.

These “kamikaze drones” offer revolutionary tactical options for reconnaissance and precision strike, tested in recent global conflicts like Ukraine.
“Modern Fighter” upgrade program
The recent presentation of the “Modern Fighter” upgrade program, which took place on February 4, 2025, at the Hellenic Military Academy, marks an important step
toward enhancing the capabilities of the Greek Armed Forces. The program’s primary goal is to equip soldiers with cutting-edge technology and upgraded gear to meet the demands of modern warfare, focusing on five key areas: survival, communication, awareness, agility, and firepower. The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, highlighted the significance of modernizing the military, emphasizing that no modern armed force could function effectively without modern fighters. The program will provide soldiers with new equipment, such as advanced helmets, body armor, sensors, communication systems, and weapons, essentially transforming the Greek soldier into a “21st Century Greek fighter.” The program, which is part of Greece’s Long Term Defence Armament Program, has a budget of 204 million euros, with an implementation timeline that will see the entire Hellenic Army outfitted by 2030. Dendias also pointed out that a significant portion of the equipment will be sourced from the domestic defense industry, thus supporting local economic development. The first delivery of the upgraded equipment is scheduled for the summer of 2026, and the program’s focus will be on creating a self-sufficient defense ecosystem capable of meeting Greece’s defense needs well into the future.