Nations in Focus: Greece MT 2/2023 · 39 An HMMWV for general mobility. Needs in this field are parly satisfied through US aids and deliveries. opportunity for Greece. Initially, Athens was supposed to pay €92 million for them, but it was ultimately agreed that Greece would only cover costs of transportation, repairs, and any modernization and modifications (the Hellenic Army plans to equip them with 12.7mm machine guns and 40mm automatic grenade launchers). Regarding M113A1/A2s, Athens is evaluating proposals to upgrade them to enhance their operational capabilities and ballistic protection. These versatile vehicles could also receive new engines and transmission systems. Greece still has hundreds of these vehicles in service, so their full withdrawal would be difficult and lengthy due to high cost of such program. Nevertheless, Greece still wants to introduce a new armored combat vehicle, but due to the aforementioned financial constraints, it will not happen quickly. It seems more likely that Greece will acquire American M113A3s in the future, which will be replaced in the US Army by AMPVs (Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles). Greece will also enhance its 32nd Marines Brigade (based in Volos), which is subordinated to the Hellenic Army, with 76 AAVP-7A1 amphibious vehicles. They will equip three battalions. Before delivery, they will undergo major repairs and maintenance in the United States. This acquisition is an obvious action aimed at countering the threat from Turkey. Systems (HDS) signed a strategic partnership agreement under which both companies will jointly offer the VBCI Philoctete in Greece. Other vehicles In early February 2023, Minister Panagiotopoulos stated that Greece is expected to receive this year up to 400 M1117 internal security vehicles, which are based on the V-100 and V-150 Commando series of armored vehicles. This is a continuation of the modernization program that Greece initiated in December 2020. In total, Athens is planning to acquire up to 1,200 M1117s – by July 2022, 444 vehicles had already been received as part of the US EDA (Excess Defense Articles) program. These versatile vehicles, suitable for transport and patrolling, are a great f
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