Greece considers U.S.-made Abrams tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers under EDA program.

Greece has initiated a structured assessment to identify specific U.S. military systems available through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, including armored vehicles, artillery, and helicopters.

According to Pentapostagma on October 30, 2025, Greece is evaluating U.S. military assets offered under the Excess Defense Articles framework following coordination between Athens and Washington. The list under review includes M109A5/A6 Paladin howitzers, M1A1/A2 Abrams tanks, M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Humvee 4x4s, AH-64E Apache helicopters, and UH-60M Black Hawks. The process defines transfer priorities, refurbishment needs, and training timelines based on available U.S. lots and operational requirements.
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Greece's interest appears to be centered on M109A5 and M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Humvee 4x4 tactical vehicles, AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, and UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters. (Picture source: US Army)

The plan concerns the possible transfer of U.S. weapons and vehicles through the Excess Defense Articles program, which allows surplus systems to be given or sold to allied countries. Greece's interest appears to be centered on fast military assets sized for both mainland and island formations. The objective is to lift immediate readiness without long development cycles while aligning more tightly with NATO standards. Planners are prioritizing units in sensitive Aegean and border regions where reinforcement speed, protected mobility, and responsive fires are essential. The package is framed to complement, not replace, key European fleets already in service. Integration timelines will depend on available lots, refurbishment requirements, and training throughput within depots and schools. The organizing logic is to add mass, reliability, and interoperability where gaps in availability and sustainment are most visible.

The Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program is the U.S. mechanism for transferring equipment that has been removed from active inventory after exceeding force objectives. It operates under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, administered by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Transfers may be made as reduced-cost sales or as grants, but recipients fund packing, crating, handling, transportation, and refurbishment on an as is, where is basis. Sale pricing typically ranges from about 5% to 50% of original acquisition value depending on age and condition. Items must be declared excess by the Military Departments before offer, and significant military equipment or higher-value cases trigger congressional notification. Public listings reflect notified transactions rather than preliminary discussions or internal allocations. Because releases track U.S. modernization, partners often see availability of platforms being phased out by newer variants. Greece has been informed alongside other eligible allies that artillery, armored vehicles, and helicopters are available for near-term evaluation and potential uptake.

Paladin self-propelled howitzers in M109A5 and M109A6 configurations are high on Greece’s artillery list, aimed at adding protected, mobile indirect fire with automated laying and faster displacement. Greece already fields several hundred M109s across mixed sub-variants together with a smaller number of PzH 2000s, creating gaps in digital standardization and maintenance uniformity. The M109A6 offers improved turret protection, upgraded fire-control computing, and reliability enhancements over the A5, while both provide ranges around 23.5 kilometers with standard ammunition. These platforms would gradually replace older M109 versions still in frontline or reserve artillery units. Standardizing batteries around A5 and A6 lots would compress training time, simplify spares pooling, and improve integration with allied targeting workflows. Mobility under armor supports counter-battery survivability in constrained littoral terrain common to Greek island defense. The U.S. transition to the M109A7 generates A5 and A6 availability for partners, shortening delivery compared to new production.

Abrams main battle tanks in M1A1 and M1A2 variants are also under consideration to increase armored protection, firepower, and digital situational awareness across Greek armored brigades. Greece operates several hundred Leopard 2A6HEL, Leopard 2A4, and Leopard 1A5 tanks, with the Leopard 1A5 approaching the limits of service viability in high-threat roles. Potential Abrams receipts would not displace the Leopard 2A6HEL in top-tier units but could retire Leopard 1A5 formations or backfill second-line roles. For Greece, the tank's 120 mm smoothbore gun, thermal imaging systems, and high-level armor protection offer several advantages in survivability and night engagement capability compared to aging fleets. Introducing these tanks would facilitate standardized gunnery and tactics with U.S. and NATO partners, improving joint training outcomes. The rationale behind the request includes the availability of refurbished U.S. stocks, extensive logistical infrastructure, and established maintenance ecosystems. The U.S. withdrawal of older Abrams variants as the M1A2 SEP V3 enters service makes multiple configurations available for transfer, potentially allowing Greece to modernize armor formations in stages while maintaining current readiness levels.

Bradley M2A3 infantry fighting vehicles form another core element of the prospective EDA package, intended to enhance troop protection and mobility. Greek mechanized units rely on hundreds of aging M113-based vehicles and a smaller pool of BMP-1s that lack modern armor protection and digital situational awareness. The M2A3’s stabilized 25 mm cannon, TOW launcher, and thermal sights would lift survivability and lethality compared to legacy tracked carriers. Adopting Bradley hulls would allow frontline brigades to replace BMP-1s and reduce the operational burden on aging M113s. The chassis also supports command, reconnaissance, and medical variants that share common spares and training pipelines. The rationale includes the wide availability of M2A3 hulls as the U.S. Army transitions to the M2A4 and XM30 Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle programs, reducing acquisition lead times. For Greece, adopting the Bradley would bridge the capability gap between light APCs and main battle tanks, offering better crew survivability, more effective firepower, and the ability to conduct sustained operations in confined island or mountainous environments.

Humvee 4x4 tactical vehicles figure as a standardization tool for light mobility across reconnaissance, command, logistics, and base security roles. Greece operates large mixed fleets of light tactical and utility vehicles, including recently inducted M1117 armored security vehicles and various older trucks. The Humvee’s modularity, parts commonality, and broad accessory ecosystem enable mission-specific fits without bespoke engineering. These vehicles could replace portions of unarmored 4x4 inventories and expand light mobility where heavier platforms are impractical, especially across islands and coastal corridors. Standardized 4x4s simplify ferry operations, spares storage, and field repairs while improving communications integration, while the ability to configure the Humvee for diverse missions such as signals, medevac, and transport without specialized tooling makes them attractive for rapid integration. Training and maintenance adaptation would be shortened by Greece’s prior experience with U.S. wheeled platforms. Fleet renewal via EDA lots would also reduce procurement lead time and support cost control through mature supply chains.

The AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter also features prominently in Greece’s modernization interest list to reinforce anti-armor strike, close support, and littoral defense with networked sensors and modern avionics. Greece operates a mixed Apache fleet of AH-64A+ and AH-64DHA, and the E model would improve reliability, endurance, and data-link connectivity. The variant supports coordination with unmanned systems and integrates with NATO targeting architectures. It would progressively replace earlier Apache airframes as they reach life-cycle limits. The operational driver is persistence over islands, rapid concentration of effects, and escort for air assault and resupply. Access to E-model airframes would depend on U.S. availability and channel selection, but the role justification aligns with current Greek mission sets. Improved night-fighting capability and maritime relevance are particularly pertinent to Aegean geography. Integrating the E model consolidates training and upgrades within the largest global Apache configuration.

Finally, the UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters are being evaluated to expand medium-lift for air assault, medevac, and logistics across dispersed terrain. Current inventories include aging UH-1H aircraft and limited numbers of newer European types that face availability constraints. The UH-60M’s payload, range, and austere-site performance suit maritime and mountainous operations common to Greek requirements. The type would likely replace the oldest UH-1H units first, enabling standardized maintenance and crew training with allied forces. Strong global fleet numbers and parts support underpin the sustainment rationale and shorten integration cycles. Role flexibility allows rapid reconfiguration between transport, medical evacuation, and search-and-rescue tasks. For interoperability, aligning with a widely used NATO standard improves joint exercise value and contingency responsiveness.

In recent years, Greece has progressively strengthened its defense ties with the United States, incorporating a broad range of American assets across all service branches. For instance, the Hellenic Army employs U.S.-made M1117 armored vehicles and specialized equipment for its special forces, including tactical communications, night-vision, and precision weapons. The Air Force continues to operate and modernize American-built C-130 Hercules transports and P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, while maintaining discussions on the future acquisition of F-35A fighter jets and KC-135R Stratotankers. The Navy has ordered MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to expand its anti-submarine and surface warfare reach, reinforcing fleet coordination with U.S. procedures. Greek special forces units routinely train alongside U.S. counterparts and use American-origin gear to standardize joint operations, while also eyeing light Cessna Caravan aircraft and MH-60L DAP Black Hawks helicopters. Athens has also tested American loitering munitions such as the Switchblade 300 and 600.

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.