The State Department has approved a potential $268 million deal with Greece for the sale of 76 Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAV).
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on Friday of the new foreign military sale.
Photo: BAE Systems
Greece first announced plans in February 2022 to buy AAVs from the U.S., and is set to receive 63 vehicles in the personnel variant, nine in the command variant and four in the recovery variant.
Under the deal, Greece would also receive 63 50-caliber heavy barrel machine guns and MK-19 grenade launchers.
“This proposed sale will improve Greece’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing an effective capability to protect maritime interests and infrastructure in support of its strategic location on NATO’s southern flank. Greece contributes to NATO operations, as well as to counterterrorism and counter-piracy maritime efforts,” the DSCA said in a statement.
The U.S. Marine Corps is currently replacing its AAV fleet, first manufactured in 1972 by United Defense, with BAE Systems-built Amphibious Combat Vehicles.
BAE Systems earlier this month received a $256.8 million full-rate production order for more ACVs from the Marine Corps, covering delivery of the platform’s base personnel and command and control variants (Defense Daily, March 6).
BAE Systems has delivered more than 180 ACVs to the Marine Corps to date, according to the company.