[InTime News]
General Dimitris Houpis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, will be in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for meetings focused on a bilateral agreement for Apache helicopter spare parts and expanded cooperation in defense innovation.
Greece and the UAE have continued strengthening their defense ties, with the latest development aimed at supporting the Greek Armed Forces’ Apache fleet.
The two sides have reached a verbal agreement for the supply of spare parts and components worth €50 million, significantly reduced from an initial estimate of €75 million, with no reduction in quantity. The deal highlights the close cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement, which concerns the AH-64D Apache helicopters, is in its final stage and will be submitted to the Greek Parliament and the Government Council on Foreign and Defense Affairs (KYSEA) for approval.
The move follows a smaller delivery in 2022, when Greece received €5 million worth of spare parts for its AH-64A helicopters. These aircraft, now nearly 30 years old, have lacked manufacturer support since 2011, making maintenance increasingly difficult.
Athens is pursuing a strategic policy of maintaining strong relations with Gulf countries.