The Greek Marine and Island Policy Ministry have announced an international tender for the upgrade/replacement of three Reims-406 aircraft surveillance equipment and three AS365 N3 Dauphin of the six helicopters.

This time the process leads to a contract, the surveillance capabilities of air forces of the Hellenic Coast Guard (LS-EL.AKT.) The budget of the program amounts to € 12,000,000  and is co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

The terms of the tender provide for the completion of the supply and installation of all systems within a period of up to 24 months from the signing of the contract. The first upgraded helicopter and aircraft must be ready in 15 months, the second upgraded helicopter and aircraft in 21 months and the fixed infrastructure in the third helicopter and aircraft in 24 months. To recap, LS-ELAKT has six AS365 N3 Dauphin helicopters.

The ministry has previously opened a tender a project that involves the overall upgrade of electronic and electro-optical equipment (radar, cameras, sensors, recorders) as well as the partial upgrade (installation of wiring infrastructure, image transmitting screens) of another helicopter and another to increase the operational capabilities and surveillance equipment of the air force of the Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard.

The use of upgraded equipment will allow night patrols to take place and record events so that they can be used as evidence. At the same time, the aircraft will be able to patrol in adverse weather conditions, as they will be able to control at higher altitudes, with all that entails for the efficiency of a business and the safety of flights.

Also, with the completion of the project, the operational capabilities will be upgraded in surveillance, policing, prevention and monitoring of any illegal energy in the maritime space, mainly in the areas of security and protection of external borders, Search and Rescue, protection of the marine environment and fishing activity.