Greece seeks 30 AH-64D Apache attack helicopters from the US to restore strike forces
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Greece plans to request 30 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters from U.S. Army surplus through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, after the retirement of nearly 100 AH-64Ds under the 2025 Army Transformation Initiative.
As reported by Kathimerini on October 10, 2025, the Greek Army General Staff is preparing to acquire 30 AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters from U.S. Army stocks as part of an EDA transfer. The Apache helicopters will be divided into two batches of 15, covering transport, reassembly, and certification costs. The plan benefits from two key factors: the Pentagon’s phase-out of the AH-64D variant and Greece’s effort to maintain operational availability of its attack helicopter fleet.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Over time, the Greek Apache fleet came to be organized into two primary attack units, with the AH-64A+ helicopters concentrated in the 1st Attack Helicopter Regiment and the AH-64Ds assigned to the 2nd Attack Helicopter Regiment. (Picture source: US Army)
The acquisition would be conducted through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, which allows allied countries to receive surplus American defense systems with only transportation and refurbishment costs. Athens expects that the transfer will require payment limited to the logistics of delivery and possible technical inspections before integration. The objective is to increase the operational availability of Greece’s attack helicopter fleet and to establish a sufficient inventory of spare parts to support the existing fleet over the next decade. The plan has been initiated by the Hellenic Army General Staff (GES) as part of broader modernization measures intended to maintain a credible helicopter strike capability in parallel with other programs such as the introduction of Spike NLOS missiles.
The Hellenic Army General Staff has already taken the internal decision to request 30 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters, divided into two batches of 15 units each, ensuring gradual induction and sustainment feasibility. Although the official request has not yet been transmitted to the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) in Athens, preliminary contacts have been established, and discussions are expected to progress at the AUSA 2025 exhibition in Washington. The Greek delegation to the event may include Lt. Gen. Georgios Kostidis, Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, who is expected to raise the issue directly with U.S. officials. The interest from other countries in the soon-to-be-retired Delta-model Apaches makes timing a decisive factor for Athens. The EDA procedure would allow Greece to receive the helicopters at minimal acquisition cost while covering shipment, local reassembly, and technical certification, all within the structure of bilateral defense cooperation agreements.
This initiative follows a period of sustained concern regarding the declining readiness of Greece’s current Apache force. The Hellenic Army operates a total of 28 AH-64 helicopters, comprising 19 AH-64A and 9 AH-64D variants, though the number of airworthy units is significantly lower. The older AH-64A models have effectively lost manufacturer support, creating serious maintenance and supply chain issues. The 2023 flooding at the Stefanovikeio Air Base in Thessaly, which destroyed infrastructure, spare parts, and equipment valued in the millions of euros, further reduced the available maintenance capacity. The GES views the procurement of additional D-models as a practical solution to restore both combat strength and spare parts availability. The integration of the new AH-64D would also improve the training capacity of Army Aviation units by providing more consistent fleet readiness and allowing rotation between operational and maintenance cycles.
The Apache remains central to Greece’s combined arms doctrine, particularly for anti-armor operations and precision engagement. The ongoing integration of the Israeli SPIKE NLOS missile system provides the capability to strike targets at ranges up to 32 kilometers, enabling the helicopters to operate from protected standoff positions. Adding 30 additional AH-64Ds would improve operational density, ensuring that a larger portion of the fleet remains mission-ready at any given time while simultaneously building an extensive inventory of replacement components. The anticipated EDA acquisition is also part of a wider plan to obtain additional U.S. surplus defense equipment, including armored vehicles, under favorable conditions. Greek authorities expect negotiations on multiple items to progress more rapidly once Kimberley Guilfoyle assumes her post as U.S. ambassador to Athens, anticipated by early November 2025, facilitating higher-level coordination and follow-up on defense-related commitments.
The retirement of the AH-64D from U.S. Army service is one element of a larger reform program that seeks to reshape the Army into a lighter, more adaptive structure with increased reliance on unmanned systems and networked sensors. The Army Transformation Initiative, announced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on April 30, 2025, and detailed by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, includes the cancellation of “outdated” crewed aircraft such as the AH-64D. Although the Delta model entered service in 1997, its operating cost and maintenance burden have grown significantly, reaching about $10,228 per flight hour in fiscal year 2025, almost twice that of the AH-64E Guardian at $5,494. Production of the AH-64D ended in 2013, and while many were upgraded under the remanufacture program to the Echo standard, the remaining Delta fleet will be withdrawn entirely as the Army shifts resources toward next-generation rotary and unmanned capabilities.
The AH-64D Apache Longbow is a two-seat, twin-engine attack helicopter designed to deliver precision firepower under all-weather conditions and day or night operations. It features the AN/APG-78 Longbow millimeter-wave radar mounted above the rotor mast, capable of detecting and classifying multiple targets simultaneously. The weapon suite includes the AGM-114L radar-guided Hellfire missile, Hydra 70 unguided rockets, and a 30 mm M230 chain gun with 1,200 rounds. The Longbow radar enables automatic target prioritization and engagement of up to sixteen threats within seconds while the attack helicopter remains concealed behind terrain. The cockpit includes integrated multifunction displays, a helmet-mounted display for both pilot and co-pilot gunner, and advanced infrared and electro-optical sensors that support high-precision targeting in degraded visual environments.
The AH-64D is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines, each producing approximately 1,890 shaft horsepower. This power output allows a maximum speed of around 284 kilometers per hour, a service ceiling of 6,400 meters, and a combat radius close to 480 kilometers without external fuel tanks. The fuselage incorporates composite armor panels and redundant flight control systems designed to maintain controllability after sustaining damage. The helicopter’s modular structure simplifies maintenance and field repairs, while self-sealing fuel tanks, crashworthy landing gear, and armored crew seating enhance survivability in high-threat environments. The AH-64D’s integrated data link enables cooperative targeting with ground and aerial units, increasing situational awareness and coordination during complex missions.
The AH-64D has served extensively in conflicts across multiple theaters, including Iraq and Afghanistan, where it demonstrated persistent combat endurance and high sortie rates. The AH-64D’s combination of firepower, protection, and sensor capability allowed it to provide close air support, reconnaissance, and precision strike missions in both conventional and irregular warfare scenarios. However, prolonged deployments, heavy flight hours, and rising sustainment costs contributed to its eventual classification as a legacy helicopter. The type remains in service with several allied nations, and its transfer to Greece would extend its functional life within an operational environment of lower intensity compared to the U.S. Army’s requirements, but without the financial burden of newly produced helicopters.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
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Greece plans to request 30 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters from U.S. Army surplus through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, after the retirement of nearly 100 AH-64Ds under the 2025 Army Transformation Initiative.
As reported by Kathimerini on October 10, 2025, the Greek Army General Staff is preparing to acquire 30 AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters from U.S. Army stocks as part of an EDA transfer. The Apache helicopters will be divided into two batches of 15, covering transport, reassembly, and certification costs. The plan benefits from two key factors: the Pentagon’s phase-out of the AH-64D variant and Greece’s effort to maintain operational availability of its attack helicopter fleet.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Over time, the Greek Apache fleet came to be organized into two primary attack units, with the AH-64A+ helicopters concentrated in the 1st Attack Helicopter Regiment and the AH-64Ds assigned to the 2nd Attack Helicopter Regiment. (Picture source: US Army)
The acquisition would be conducted through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, which allows allied countries to receive surplus American defense systems with only transportation and refurbishment costs. Athens expects that the transfer will require payment limited to the logistics of delivery and possible technical inspections before integration. The objective is to increase the operational availability of Greece’s attack helicopter fleet and to establish a sufficient inventory of spare parts to support the existing fleet over the next decade. The plan has been initiated by the Hellenic Army General Staff (GES) as part of broader modernization measures intended to maintain a credible helicopter strike capability in parallel with other programs such as the introduction of Spike NLOS missiles.
The Hellenic Army General Staff has already taken the internal decision to request 30 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters, divided into two batches of 15 units each, ensuring gradual induction and sustainment feasibility. Although the official request has not yet been transmitted to the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) in Athens, preliminary contacts have been established, and discussions are expected to progress at the AUSA 2025 exhibition in Washington. The Greek delegation to the event may include Lt. Gen. Georgios Kostidis, Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, who is expected to raise the issue directly with U.S. officials. The interest from other countries in the soon-to-be-retired Delta-model Apaches makes timing a decisive factor for Athens. The EDA procedure would allow Greece to receive the helicopters at minimal acquisition cost while covering shipment, local reassembly, and technical certification, all within the structure of bilateral defense cooperation agreements.
This initiative follows a period of sustained concern regarding the declining readiness of Greece’s current Apache force. The Hellenic Army operates a total of 28 AH-64 helicopters, comprising 19 AH-64A and 9 AH-64D variants, though the number of airworthy units is significantly lower. The older AH-64A models have effectively lost manufacturer support, creating serious maintenance and supply chain issues. The 2023 flooding at the Stefanovikeio Air Base in Thessaly, which destroyed infrastructure, spare parts, and equipment valued in the millions of euros, further reduced the available maintenance capacity. The GES views the procurement of additional D-models as a practical solution to restore both combat strength and spare parts availability. The integration of the new AH-64D would also improve the training capacity of Army Aviation units by providing more consistent fleet readiness and allowing rotation between operational and maintenance cycles.
The Apache remains central to Greece’s combined arms doctrine, particularly for anti-armor operations and precision engagement. The ongoing integration of the Israeli SPIKE NLOS missile system provides the capability to strike targets at ranges up to 32 kilometers, enabling the helicopters to operate from protected standoff positions. Adding 30 additional AH-64Ds would improve operational density, ensuring that a larger portion of the fleet remains mission-ready at any given time while simultaneously building an extensive inventory of replacement components. The anticipated EDA acquisition is also part of a wider plan to obtain additional U.S. surplus defense equipment, including armored vehicles, under favorable conditions. Greek authorities expect negotiations on multiple items to progress more rapidly once Kimberley Guilfoyle assumes her post as U.S. ambassador to Athens, anticipated by early November 2025, facilitating higher-level coordination and follow-up on defense-related commitments.
The retirement of the AH-64D from U.S. Army service is one element of a larger reform program that seeks to reshape the Army into a lighter, more adaptive structure with increased reliance on unmanned systems and networked sensors. The Army Transformation Initiative, announced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on April 30, 2025, and detailed by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, includes the cancellation of “outdated” crewed aircraft such as the AH-64D. Although the Delta model entered service in 1997, its operating cost and maintenance burden have grown significantly, reaching about $10,228 per flight hour in fiscal year 2025, almost twice that of the AH-64E Guardian at $5,494. Production of the AH-64D ended in 2013, and while many were upgraded under the remanufacture program to the Echo standard, the remaining Delta fleet will be withdrawn entirely as the Army shifts resources toward next-generation rotary and unmanned capabilities.
The AH-64D Apache Longbow is a two-seat, twin-engine attack helicopter designed to deliver precision firepower under all-weather conditions and day or night operations. It features the AN/APG-78 Longbow millimeter-wave radar mounted above the rotor mast, capable of detecting and classifying multiple targets simultaneously. The weapon suite includes the AGM-114L radar-guided Hellfire missile, Hydra 70 unguided rockets, and a 30 mm M230 chain gun with 1,200 rounds. The Longbow radar enables automatic target prioritization and engagement of up to sixteen threats within seconds while the attack helicopter remains concealed behind terrain. The cockpit includes integrated multifunction displays, a helmet-mounted display for both pilot and co-pilot gunner, and advanced infrared and electro-optical sensors that support high-precision targeting in degraded visual environments.
The AH-64D is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines, each producing approximately 1,890 shaft horsepower. This power output allows a maximum speed of around 284 kilometers per hour, a service ceiling of 6,400 meters, and a combat radius close to 480 kilometers without external fuel tanks. The fuselage incorporates composite armor panels and redundant flight control systems designed to maintain controllability after sustaining damage. The helicopter’s modular structure simplifies maintenance and field repairs, while self-sealing fuel tanks, crashworthy landing gear, and armored crew seating enhance survivability in high-threat environments. The AH-64D’s integrated data link enables cooperative targeting with ground and aerial units, increasing situational awareness and coordination during complex missions.
The AH-64D has served extensively in conflicts across multiple theaters, including Iraq and Afghanistan, where it demonstrated persistent combat endurance and high sortie rates. The AH-64D’s combination of firepower, protection, and sensor capability allowed it to provide close air support, reconnaissance, and precision strike missions in both conventional and irregular warfare scenarios. However, prolonged deployments, heavy flight hours, and rising sustainment costs contributed to its eventual classification as a legacy helicopter. The type remains in service with several allied nations, and its transfer to Greece would extend its functional life within an operational environment of lower intensity compared to the U.S. Army’s requirements, but without the financial burden of newly produced helicopters.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
