US approves potential sale of F-16 support to Greece

The US State Department has approved a potential USD270 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to provide sustainment materiel and services, as well as related equipment, to the Hellenic Air Force's (HAF's) fleet of F-16 combat aircraft.

The US has approved a potential FMS to provide sustainment materiel and services, as well as related equipment, to the HAF's F-16 fleet. (HAF)

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in a press release on 3 August that it had notified Congress of the potential FMS, which includes US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services for the F-16 aircraft structural integrity programme; F-16 aircrew training device, Low Altitude Targeting and Infrared for Night (LANTIRN), and reconnaissance pods support programmes; Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) software support; and joint mission planning software support. The FMS would also include participation in the Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program, International Engine Management Program, and technical co-ordination groups, in addition to training equipment, spares and repairs, publications and technical documentation, and other related elements of aircraft maintenance and programme support.

The principal contractors mentioned for this FMS include L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Collins Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Atec Inc.

“The ability to provide this level of support to the F-16 programme will increase [the HAF's] interoperability with NATO forces and enhance its ability to provide for security of its borders,” the DSCA said.

The sale does not include offset agreements, which could be defined later in negotiations between Greece and the contactors.

The US Congress must approve the sale before a contract can be awarded.