- Yes
- No
Welcome to this suggestion for a Greco-Iberian Helicopter Tech Tree! This tree compliments my Greco-Iberian Ground Forces tree, and consists of four nations: Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Cyprus. The reasoning for these countries being combined is better explained in the ground-forces post, as it is much more relevant for ground vehicles, and helicopter-wise, these countries don’t share much. Nonetheless, there are still some key connections:
- All four are EU member states and Spain, Portugal and Greece are NATO member states
- Spain and Portugal have long had close relations. Both were nominally neutral during WW2, had fascist regimes into the Cold War (some debate the nature of Salazar’s regime, but by most accounts fascist is the correct term), and received large quantities of American military equipment during this time period
- Although Greece (and Cyprus) are almost entirely connected to Spain just through ground vehicles, all three are Mediterranean countries and share a similar culture. Portugal also shares this culture to an extent.
History
Spain
Out of all countries in this tree, Spain has the longest history and variety of helicopters. They have seen service in both the Spanish Navy and the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET). Armed helicopters were acquired from the 1970s onwards, beginning with American AH-1Gs, and Italian AB.204s and 212s, all seeing service in the Navy. They were not acquired in large quantiites though — the most numerous armed helicopter was the Bo-105, of which over 70 were bought from Germany. In the early 2000s, Spain ordered the Eurocopter Tiger HAP and HAD, and is one of the only operators, alongside France, Germany, and Australia. Spain is part of the development of the Tiger Mk. III, which will be produced by Spain and France, and first delivered around 2030.
- EC665 Tiger HAP
Portugal
Portugal has had very few armed helicopters. Up until the acquisition of the SA 316B / Alouette III (the only Portuguese helicopter in this tree), they only had one H-19 and seven Alouette IIs — the H-19 was the first helicopter they ever obtained, in 1954. Most of these helicopters were used in search-and-rescue or similar utility roles. Only the SA 316Bs received armaments, and in most cases, this was limited to machine guns. The Army Light Aviation Unit (UALE) was formed in 2000, and was planned to be equipped with both light fire support and medium manuever helicopters. However, a number of setbacks pushed the acquisition of helicopters backwards. Eurocopter designed the EC635 specifically for Portugal, and Portugal signed an agrement for nine in 1999, but a number of disagreements and issues with procurement led to the order being cancelled. In 2001, Portugal decided on the NH90 for the transport role, but this order was cancelled in 2012 with none acquired. In 2022, Portugal acquired two UH-60s, with more planned for delivery — these are only going to be used in a firefighting role, however.
- SA 316B with MG 151/20s
Greece
The first attack helicopter Greece acquired were the AH-64s in 1995. Prior to this, Greece operated a number of helicopters in transport and other utility roles, namely the UH-1, CH-47, and Bell 47G. Since then, they have also acquired upgraded AH-64Ds (and are embarking on an upgrade program for the older AH-64As), and OH-58Ds.
- AH-64
Cyprus
Due to Cyprus’ more unique position in Europe (geographically and geopolitically), its helicopter forces are a bit more diverse than the other countries here. The Cyprus Air Command — the aviation wing of the National Guard — has never operated fixed-wing attack aircraft. Helicopters are the primary aircraft, and are used mostly for anti-tank roles. Their first helicopters were three Bell 206s and four SA342s, acquired in 1987/88. The Bell 206s were used in a utility role, but the SA342s received HOT-2 (and later HOT-3) ATGMs. In 2001, Cyprus acquired 12 Mi-35Ps from Russia, following evaluation of the South African Rooivalk, and Russian Ka-50 and Mi-28 — American helicopters, like the AH-64s in service with Greece, were not considered due to an arms embargo (1987–2020). The Mi-35s were taken out of service in 2023, and have been sold to Serbia. To replace them, Cyprus opted for the H145M, which has only very recently been delivered.
- Mi-35P
This tree almost exclusively consists of imported helicopters, some with domestic modifications. However, there are still a number of aircraft not yet represented in-game, and so the copy-paste isn’t that bad (I count 5).
Vehicles
Rank V
Line 1 – Spanish/Portuguese Helicopters
🇵🇹 SA 316B
Aérospatiale SA 316B Alouette III
In 1963, Portugal decided they needed a new helicopter to replace the 8 total helicopters in service (one H-19 and seven Alouette IIs). They picked the Alouette III over the AB 204B, and 142 were delivered from 1963-1975. It was initially used for transport, reconnaissance, and to carry troops, however, an armed variant was quickly deemed necessary. In 1964 some were modified with a pair of M2 Browning machine guns (and named Falcão), and in 1966 with a single 20mm autocannon (and named heli-canhão). In 1973, two helicopters were modified to test further weapon configurations. They were fitted with four 7.62mm machine guns, and three rocket pod launcher load-outs:
- 2x 70mm launchers, 6 rockets each (12 total)
- 2x 37mm launchers, 18 rockets each (36 total)
- 4x 37mm launchers, 18 rockets each (72 total)
BR 7.7.
Armament: 4x 7.62mm + 12x FFAR Mighty Mouse 70mm rocket; 36x SNEB 37mm rocket; 72x SNEB 37mm rocket
Mobility: 570hp, 185km/h
🇪🇸 AB.204 ASW
Agusta-Bell 204 Anti-Submarine Warfare
In 1975, the Spanish Navy received four AB 204Bs (the Italian license-built Bell 204). These were modified for anti-submarine warfare, and equipped with surface radar, sonar, and a variety of weapons: torpedoes, AS.11 and AS.12 ATGMs, and rockets. I’m suggesting the AB. 204 in this tree be given only AS.11s, reserving the more powerful AS.12s for the AB. 212 and SH-3D.
BR 8.0.
Armament: 2x Mk. 44 torpedoes; 2x AS.11 ATGM; 2x M-200 rocket launchers (19x 70mm FFAR Mighty Mouse each)
Mobility: 1100hp, 220km/h
Line 2 – Cypriot/Greek Helicopters
N/A
Rank VI
Line 1 – Spanish/Portuguese Helicopters
🇪🇸 AB.212 ASW
Agusta-Bell 212 Anti-Submarine Warfare
The Spanish Navy received fourteen AB.212s from Italy, beginning in 1974. They were mainly adapted to anti-submarine warfare missions, and as such fitted with sonar, surface radar, and a variety of weapons. These include torpedoes, rockets, minigun pods, and ATGMs. They have largely been retired now, although four have been modified for electronic warfare.
BR 8.7.
Armament: 2x Mk. 44 torpedoes; 2x Mk. 46 torpedoes; 2x AS.11 ATGM; 2x AS.12 ATGM; 2x M-200 rocket launchers (19x 70mm FFAR Mighty Mouse each); 2x M18 Miniguns
Mobility: 1800hp, 220km/h
🇪🇸 Bo-105ATH
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO-105 Anti-Tank Helicopter
The Spanish Air Force received 72 Bo-105s in total over a period from 1973-2002. 28 of these were the Bo-105ATH variant, an anti-tank variant equipped with six TOW ATGMs. Spain operates both the TOW and TOW-2, and it’s likely this could be fitted with both variants.
BR 9.3.
Armament: 6x TOW-1/2
Mobility: 2x 420hp, 242km/h
Line 2 – Cypriot/Greek Helicopters
🇨🇾 SA342L1
Aérospatiale Gazelle SA342L1
The Cypriot National Guard received four SA342L1s in 1988. In Cyprus they have been fitted with mounts for four HOT-3 ATGMs. They remain in service today as Cyprus’ only anti-tank-capable aircraft (aside from ongoing deliveries of H145Ms).
BR 9.7.
Armament: 4x HOT-3
Mobility: 580hp, 288km/h
🇬🇷 OH-58D
Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
70 OH-58Ds were delivered to Greece from the US in 2019, as part of an Excess Defence Articles grant. 36 of them are fully-operational, 24 are incomplete for training, and 10 are for spare parts. They can be equipped with a variety of weapons, including rockets, ATGMs, and AAMs.
BR 10.3.
Armament: 1x M134 Minigun; 1x 12.7mm GAU-19; 1x 30mm LR30; 4x ATAS; 2x AGM-114K; 4x AGM-114K; 14x APKWS II; 14x Hydra-70 [based on vehicles in-game, unclear what Greece will use other than AGM-114s]
Mobility: 650hp, 240km/h
Rank VII
Line 1 – Spanish/Portuguese Helicopters
🇪🇸 Tiger HAD-E B2
EC665 Eurocopter Tiger Hélicoptère Appui Destruction-Español Block 2
The Eurocopter Tiger is an attack helicopter manufactured in Germany and France, and in service with Germany, France, Spain and Australia. The first production vehicle was completed in 2002. In 2003, Spain ordered the EC665, deciding that neither the UHT designed for Germany nor the HAP designed for France were suitable for Spanish requirements. This led to the development of the Tiger HAD, which France bought after Spain. Spain received six Tiger HAPs from 2005-2010, with the initial goal of upgrading them to HAD standard, but this was eventually scrapped. 18 Tiger HADs were obtained from 2014-2020, in both Block 1 and Block 2 variants. [The Tiger HAP and HAD-E Block 1 in Spanish service were never fitted with ATGMs, which is why neither are present in this tree]. The HAD-E is armed with a 30mm cannon, Mistral AAMs, up to 8 Spike-ER ATGMs, and multiple rocket pod options.
This was recently (Update Hornet’s Sting) added to the game, as a German premium at 11.7. It had its Spike missiles ahistorically removed and AGM-114s ahistorically added. In the case of this tree’s implementation, it should be removed and placed in the TT at 12.0 with its actual weaponry.
BR 12.0.
Armament: 30mm GIAT M781; 2x Mistral; 4x Mistral; 8x Spike-ER; 14x 70mm FZ rockets; 38x 70mm FZ rockets
Mobility: 1467hp, 315km/h
Line 2 – Cypriot/Greek Helicopters
🇬🇷 AH-64D
AH-64D Apache
Greece received 20 AH-64As in 1995, and 12 AH-64Ds in 2007. 28 are in service currently. Greece and Israeli company Rafael have come to an agreement to provide the Greek military (all 3 branches) with 17 Spike NLOS systems and 340 missiles. These will be fitted to AH-64As, which will be upgraded by Elbit Systems. Meanwhile, the AH-64Ds remain armed with standard weaponry as seen on US examples.
BR 12.0.
Armament: 4x ATAS ; 76x Hydra-70; 28x APKWS II; 4x AGM-114K; 8x AGM-114K; 16x AGM-114K; 120x countermeasures
Mobility: 2x 1,696hp, 295km/h
🇨🇾 H145M
Airbus H145M
Cyprus ordered six H145Ms (with an option for another six) from Airbus in 2022, largely to replace the Mi-35Ps that were taken out of service the next year. The first sightings of the Cypriot H145Ms were in March 2024, seen during test flights in Germany. In late March 2025, the first two were delivered to Cyprus, with four others arriving later. As it stands, it’s unclear which weapons Cyprus will mount, so I’ve listed the ones used in German service.
BR 12.0.
Armament: 8x Spike-ER2; 24x 70mm rockets (dumb-fire + laser-guided); 2x 12.7mm machine gun pod; 1x 20mm cannon pod
Mobility: 2x 894hp, 241km/h
Premium
Rank V
🇪🇸 AH-1G
AH-1G
In September 1972, the Spanish Navy received four AH-1Gs from the USA (donated), followed by four more in January 1973 (purchased). They formed the ‘Cobra’ Squadron, and were fitted with the same weapons as seen in US service and in-game (2x 7.62mm minigun + Mighty Mouse rockets). Four of the aircraft were lost in accidents from 1973-1980, and the remaining ones were taken out of service in 1987. Three were sent back to the US, and one was preserved in Spain.
BR 8.0.
Armament: 2x 7.62mm M134 Minigun; 38x 70mm FFAR rockets; 76x 70mm FFAR rockets
Mobility: 1100hp, 277km/h
Rank VI
🇪🇸 SH-3D
Sikorsky SH-3D Seaking
The Spanish Navy operated 18 second-hand SH-3 Seakings from 1966-2020. A number of variants were imported, and some upgraded in Spain; generally, they are all similar to the SH-3D and H variants. They have all since been replaced by the SH-60 Oceanhawk. In Spanish service, they were equipped with torpedoes, as well as the AS.11 and AS.12 ATGMs.
BR 9.0.
Armament: 2x Mk. 44 torpedoes; 2x Mk. 46 torpedoes; 4x AS.11 ATGM; 4x AS.12 ATGM
Mobility: 2500hp, 267km/h
Rank VII
🇨🇾 Mi-35P
Mil Mi-35P
Cyprus bought 12 Mi-35Ps from Russia, delivered from 2001-2002, after a long process to decide on a suitable attack helicopter (other options considered were the Mi-28, Ka-50, and Rooivalk). They served up until 2021, when they were withdrawn from service, and then sold to Serbia. Factors in their withdrawal were sanctions against Russia, the perceived risk of sanctions against Cyprus by the USA, and various operational difficulties. In Cypriot service, these were fitted with up to 16 9M120 Ataka ATGMs, various rockets (S-8KOM and S-24B), as well as 9M114 Shturm ATGMs.
BR 11.0. Squadron Vehicle.
Armament: Twin 30mm GSh-30-2K; 8x 9M120 Ataka; 16x 9M120 Ataka; 2x S-24B; 40x S-8KOM; 80x S-8KOM; 2x twin 23mm GSh-23V
Mobility: 2x 2200hp, 300km/h
🇬🇷 AH-64A
AH-64A Apache
Greece received 20 AH-64As in 1995, and 12 AH-64Ds in 2007. 28 are in service currently. Greece and Israeli company Rafael have come to an agreement to provide the Greek military (all 3 branches) with 17 Spike NLOS systems and 340 missiles. These will be fitted to AH-64As, which will be upgraded by Elbit Systems. Meanwhile, the AH-64Ds remain armed with standard weaponry as seen on US examples.
This is already in-game as a US premium, so should be moved to this tree (still premium) and hidden from purchase in the US tree. As mentioned above, this could also eventually be given Spikes.
BR 12.0.
Armament: 2x AIM-9L; 4x ATAS; 76x Hydra-70; 28x APKWS II; 8x AGM-114K; 16x AGM-114K
Mobility: 2x 1,696hp, 300km/h
Future Developments
- Spain
- Development of the Tiger Mk. III is ongoing, which will integrate the Spike-ER2 and -LR2, among other upgrades
- Portugal
- N/A
- Greece
- Greece is planning to upgrade its AH-64As to be able to carry Spike NLOS ATGMs
- Three MH-60Rs were delivered last year, and four more are planned this year. They will eventually be fitted with weapons, but haven’t yet
- Cyprus
- N/A
Conclusion
A Greco-Iberian tree provides a number of interesting vehicles, and covers most, if not all, crucial ground lineups with a suitable helicopter. Spain most notably has future modernisations and acquisitions planned, which will future-proof the tree a little bit.
I hope you support this proposal!
Sources
- CLUBE DE ESPECIALISTAS DO AB4: ALOUETTE III - ARMAMENTO
- BO-105 | AERONAVES MILITARES ESPAÑOLAS
- AB-204
- AB-212 ASW
- Misil aire-superficie AS-11
- SH-3H "Sea King"
- https://defenceredefined.com.cy/gazelle-sa342l1-the-legacy-helicopter-of-the-national-guard-and-its-upgrade-options-photos-video/
- https://defenceredefined.com.cy/εθνική-φρουρά-βολές-ελικοπτέρων-gazelle-με/
- Sud Aviation Alouette III in Portuguese service - Wikipedia
- Elbit Systems to Upgrade Greek AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters - MilitaryLeak.COM
- https://www.aeroresource.co.uk/operational-reports/cypriot-air-command/
- H145M technical information | Airbus
- First Tiger HAD/E Block 2 delivered to Spanish Army
- Spanish Navy Sea King with AS.11 missiles - Aircraft Cold War - Britmodeller.com
- Greece approves purchase of Spike NLOS
- The Cypriot National Guard Air Command and its anti-tank
- Greece takes delivery of Kiowa Warriors
- Cypriot gunships
- Iberia’s big cats
- La trágica historia detrás de una bella foto de los AH-1G Huey Cobra de la Armada Española
- Adiós al ‘Morsa’: el último vuelo de los SH-3 Sea King de la Armada Española
- El Arma Aérea de la Armada Española en viejas fotografías de los Archivos Nacionales de EEUU
- Guerra Colonial :: 1961-1974