Greece's Air Force purchases 14 Leonardo AW139H helicopters for Super Puma replacement.

According to CNN Greece on December 10, 2023, the Hellenic Air Force selected the Leonardo AW-139H, a variant of the AW139 helicopter, as the replacement for its 12 AS332C Super Puma helicopters in search and rescue (SAR) operations. This decision comes after an evaluation process that included several other models, including the Airbus H-175 and the UH-60 Black Hawk.

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Since its first flight in 2001 and introduction in 2003, Leonardo has sold more than 1,100 AW139 helicopters (Picture source: Leonardo Helicopters)

At the recent Council of Chiefs of General Staff (SAGE), the Hellenic Air Force proposed the acquisition of 14 new AW139 SAR helicopters from Leonardo. This move represents a change in direction, contrasting with the Army Aviation and Navy's preference for Black Hawks. The proposal's next steps involve the General Directorate of Armament and Equipment (GDAEE), which is responsible for drafting the official Letter of Request and consulting with Leonardo. The entire process, including obtaining funding approval from the Greek Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA), may take up to two years.

The selection of the Leonardo AW-139 was a key item discussed at the SAGE meeting, where it was chosen over other candidates like the Airbus H-175 and the UH-60 Black Hawk. Of the 14 helicopters planned for acquisition, 4 are intended for Combat SAR (search and rescue) missions. These will be specifically equipped with cabin and system armor, armaments, a self-protection system with countermeasures like flares and chaff, missile warning systems, and the Link-16 data exchange system.

The operational requirements for these helicopters include a minimum action range of 180 miles with a four-member SAR crew, an on-scene endurance of at least 30 minutes, and capabilities to reach speeds above 145 knots. The helicopters are also required to have a minimum weight of 6.8 tons. Ensuring a comprehensive inventory of spare parts is also part of the plan to maintain high availability.

The helicopter fleet of the Hellenic Air Force includes 12 AS332C Super Puma helicopters, mainly used for medium transport, which are planned to be replaced by the 14 Leonardo AW139 helicopters. The fleet also comprises 12 Bell 205A (AB-205A) helicopters, designated for light transport and search and rescue (SAR) missions. In addition, there are 4 Bell 212 (AB-212) helicopters, primarily utilized for VIP and light transport roles. The Air Force also maintains 3 Leonardo AW109 helicopters, employed in various operational capacities.

The Leonardo AW139, initially developed by Agusta and Bell Helicopters and later solely by AgustaWestland, is a medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter. Since its first flight in 2001 and introduction in 2003, it has seen more than 1,100 units sold. The AW139 has been employed in various roles, such as VIP transport, military operations, offshore transport, firefighting, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and disaster relief.

In design, the AW139 features a five-blade main rotor, retractable landing gear, and two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C turboshaft engines controlled by a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. The cockpit includes a Honeywell Primus EPIC avionics system with a four LCD screen glass cockpit and a four-axis autopilot. It is designed to support single-pilot instrument flight rules (SPIFR) operations and is compatible with night vision goggles.

The AW139 has a maximum speed of 310 km/h (193 mph), a cruise speed of 306 km/h, and a range of 1,061 km. Its service ceiling is 6,096 meters (20,000 feet), and it has a rate of climb of 10.9 meters per second (2,140 feet per minute). The aircraft's capacity varies based on configuration, with the ability to accommodate up to 15 passengers.