Image source: topwar.ru
The Greek command decided to modernize the country's M113 armored personnel carrier fleet, rather than purchase equipment abroad. Earlier, Washington tried to impose a "gift" on Athens in the form of outdated Bradley IFVs, which required expensive restoration and modernization, and Paris offered to purchase a new-built VBCI IFV.
As indicated in the local publication OnAlert, the return of each Bradley would cost € 8 million, and the United States intended to transfer 164 copies in total: 62 units "for free", and 102 – "on favorable terms". At the same time, France offered an alternative: the "immediate delivery" of 120 VBCI with an additional production of 250 machines jointly with the Greek industry.
However, both options were considered too expensive. The German Rheinmetall proposal for the KF-41 Lynx did not arouse interest for the same reasons. In the end, the Greek military preferred a more economical solution – the modernization of the M113. This program, developed in collaboration between the Israeli company Rafael and the Greek METKA, involves the improvement of more than 500 machines from a total fleet of about 2,900 units.
Image source: topwar.ru
The upgrade includes the installation of a remotely controlled combat station with a 30 mm cannon, armor reinforcement, placement of a new, more powerful engine, improved communication systems and modern optoelectronic sensors. The modernization will be carried out at the METKA facility in Magnesia, while the costs will be significantly lower than those of the proposed alternatives, which makes this option especially attractive for Athens.
- it is noted in the publication.
The upgraded M113 is supposed to be supplied to the armored and mechanized brigades of the 4th Army Corps [protects the border with Turkey along the Evros River and is the most powerful unit of the army], as well as to the ASDEN units located on the large eastern islands [a corps-sized unit responsible for the defense of the Aegean Islands].
