Greece has launched a modernisation effort for its fleet of Lockheed Martin P-3B Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
Two examples of the turboprop type operated by the Hellenic Navy have been inducted into the process, transferring on 13 July from Elefsis air base to an overhaul facility at Tangara, near Athens.
Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) is carrying out the modifications as part of an overall $142 million contract awarded in February this year to Lockheed Martin.
The deal provides for the reactivation of one of the navy’s P-3Bs and the procurement of software and hardware kits for the upgrade and modernisation of a total of four aircraft.
Mid-life upgrade kits will extend the P-3Bs’ service lives by 15,000h, and indigenously developed mission management systems will also be installed. Around 30% of the total contract value will be absorbed by Greek firms, says Lockheed.
Greece has a fleet of six stored P-3Bs with an average age of 19.8 years, according to Flight Fleets Analyzer.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
