Greece seeks acquisition of Chinook helicopters

WASHDec. 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. and Greece are to negotiate a deal for the Greek military to acquire 10 CH-47D Chinook helicopters through the Foreign Military Sales program.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in its required notification to Congress, said the proposed $150 million deal has received approval from the U.S. State Department.

"This sale will contribute to both the United States' and Greece's defense and security goal of greater stability in the Balkans and the Levant regions by enhancing a critical helicopter lift capability," DSCA told Congress. "Additionally, this sale will facilitate greater interoperability of Greek systems both bilaterally and within NATO."

The package covers the 10 helicopters plus 23 T55-GA-714A engines, 12 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, various types of radios, VOR ILS marker beacons, AN/ARN-149 direction finder sets and AN/ASN-128 Doppler/Global Positioning System navigation sets.

Transponders, radar signal detectors, mission equipment, communication and navigation equipment, and support equipment are also requested by Greece.