AFM correspondents continue their review of Europe’s helicopter gunships, covering Greece to Poland in this second part.
GUNSHIP HELICOPTERS PART 2
Greece
Apache on the prowl
The first of 20 AH-64A Apaches ordered by the Elliniko Aeroporia Stratou (EAS, Hellenic Army Aviation) arrived in Greece in June 1995. In a deal worth $675m, all had been delivered by the end of the year. The army had previously relied on old Bell UH-1 helicopters fitted with door-mounted machine guns for its offensive capability.
A 2003 order for 12 Block II Apache Longbows (locally designated AH-64DHA) modernised the army’s gunship capabilities. However, it was not until February 2010 that the helicopters were officially accepted into service, due to contract disagreements related to Greece’s financial difficulties.
