April 8, 2021 14:51
GDAEE (General Directorate of Defense Equipment and Investments)
recently announced that the sixth amendment to contract 034A / 03 was signed,
which governs the supply program
of 16 NH-90 transport helicopters,
four (4) special operations helicopters of the same type and
four ( 4) sanitary collections for the conversion of helicopters into casualty transport (MEDEVAC).
This is a very important development that launches important and positive developments for the Army Air Force,
which is the receipt of the last six (6) helicopters,
and completes the program,
18 years from its inception.
Specifically, in August 2003 the contract was signed, totaling $ 657,523,069, for the supply of 20 NH-90.
In special operations configuration, the NH-90 incorporates, inter alia: Advanced night vision and flight system consisting of FLIR system and built-in night vision and flight binoculars, weather radar, integrated warning system (visual and audible) position for the immediate location of the helicopter in case of its fall into the sea, individual tracking system for the immediate location of the crew in case of accident, rescue winch, shielding, etc.
According to the original schedule, the delivery of the first helicopter was to take place in December 2005,
six (6) helicopters were to be delivered in 2006,
five (5) in 2007,
six (6) in 2008 and two (2) in 2009.
However, during the acceptance tests of the first helicopter,
many technical observations and problems arose (about 200 according to the General Staff)
that deemed the helicopters unacceptable by the Greek side.
After a series of negotiations, the construction company committed itself to resolving the technical remarks and problems,
but the delay in deliveries involved a penalty clause of € 34,000,000,
which was included as a relevant condition in the original contract.
The issue was finally resolved in August 2010 with the signing of a relevant amendment to the original contract.
According to the terms of the amendment, the construction company took responsibility for the delay,
paid compensation of € 70,030,540, granted a credit of € 20,000,000 for materials and subsequent support services,
provided additional materials and services estimated at € 30,000,000,
withheld an amount of € 4,800,000 (€ 1,200,000 for each of the four helicopters until the completion of their repair work),
while a penalty clause of € 120,000,000 was provided in case of re-derailment of the program.
Until then, ie in August 2010,
Greece had paid the advance of € 263,009,227.60 (ie 40% of the contract value).
Therefore, the payment of the amount of € 394,513,841.40 - € 70,030,540 (agreed compensation) = € 324,483,301.40 remained.
Thus, the first two (2) helicopters were delivered in June 2011,
while by October 2013 seven (7) helicopters had been delivered.
Followed by the delivery of 8 th helicopter in April 2014,
9 th helicopter in July 2014,
10 th helicopter in November 2014,
and 11 th helicopter in December 2014.
In February 2015, when it should be delivered 12 the helicopter came from Greece, issue technical support shortage.
The issue has caused controversy when the then Minister of Defense Panos Glowing,
advised the manufacturer that will not be collected
12 th helicopter that will not be paid the last tranche (worth about € 110.000.000)
and there will be signed the contract for the subsequent support of the NH-90,
amounting to € 75,500,000, which was approved by the competent parliamentary committee in July 2014,
ie before the completion of the audit of the initial and amended contract,
of 2003 and 2010, by Greece
(until then the Greek State had already repaid about 70% of the total price).
Finally, when it was found, on the Greek side, the refusal to accept a helicopter borne by the Greek State with additional storage costs,
the question was examined again,
so 12 the helicopter to be delivered in April 2017,
13 the helicopter delivered in June 2017 and
14 the helicopter to be delivered in October 2017.
Now, with the signing of a new modification of the original contract paves the way, the receipt and the last six NH-90.