Greece Initiates Talks for 4th FDI HN Frigate and Cruise Missiles

During his visit to Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard on September 19, 2024, for the launching ceremony of the Hellenic Navy (HN)’s second FDI HN frigate ‘Nearchos‘ (F602), Greek Minister of Defence Nikos Dendias announced that Greece will enter negotiations to purchase a fourth FDI HN frigate and to equip a number of them with naval cruise missiles (NCM). The intention to purchase a fourth frigate by Greece reflects not only the satisfaction of the Navy’s leadership with the progress in the construction and capabilities of the new frigates but also the government’s confidence in the FDI program. My story for Naval News, here.

Greek Shipyard Delivers Blocks for France’s Second FDI

On July 13, 2024, the Salamis Shipyards delivered five (5) pre-equipped blocks of the second (and fifth in the production series) French Navy defence and intervention frigate (FDI) (Admiral Louzeau). These blocks were constructed at the Salamis Shipyards in Salamis, Greece, and are already en route from Greece to the Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, France, where they will undergo the next steps in the frigate’s construction. For the first time in history, a Greek shipyard is participating in the construction of a high-tech warship for the naval fleet of another country, specifically France, through the FDI program. My story for Naval News, here.

Centaur: The New Combat-proven C-UAS system by Hellenic Aerospace Industry

Videos and reports about a Greek warship that has effectively protected commercial ships in the Red Sea area, as part of the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, are flooding the press and social media this month. This warship is none other than the Hellenic Navy Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigate Psara, which, despite its age and condition (having undergone only minimal upgrades or changes), seems to meet threats without even using a single one of its valuable and expensive RIM-162 ESSM Block 1 surface-to-air missiles (SAM) (Hydra-class frigates carry 16 x ESSM in their Mk48 Mod 5 VLS), relying only on its Mk45 Mod2A 127mm gun and a Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) system installed shortly before departure. The recently revealed system is called Centaur, a product of Greek design and development, specifically by Greece’s largest state defense industry, the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), which developed it with its own resources. My story for Naval News, here.

Hellenic Navy Conducts Massive Live Missile Firings

On July 2nd and 3rd, 2024, the Hellenic Navy conducted a series of live missile firings, launching nine (9) missiles of five (5) different types, encompassing all the ship-launched guided missiles in its inventory. Notably, certain missile systems, such as HARPOON anti-ship missiles, were used for the first time in 25 years. The last instance was in the autumn of 1999 when the frigate Hydra participated in the NATO exercise BRIGHT STAR, focused on the Eastern Mediterranean. My story for Naval News, here.

Hellenic Navy commissions general-support ship for special operations

The Hellenic Navy commissioned its first general-support ship for special operations, Perseas (ex- VikingVision ), during a ceremony held at Salamis Naval Base on 11 June. The ship – a former seismic vessel converted into a multi-purpose naval vessel – was donated to the Hellenic Navy by the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation. My story for Janes here.

The new eyes of the Hellenic Coast Guard: Miltech Hellas SUR-20LRM and SUR-400HSM

Written by D-Mitch

MLT-SUR-400HSM on Sa'ar 4 OPV. Photo by D-Mitch.

This article discusses the latest development in electronic equipment installed on Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) patrol vessels. We will describe two new systems from Miltech Hellas, a Greek company renowned for equipping various Hellenic Navy (HN) and HCG ships and vessels with platform mounted electro-optical sensors, namely the TDR-10 (4 systems), TDR-10A (15 systems) and TDR-HR-300 (3 systems). For detailed information on which ships are equipped with each system, please refer to the links provided. The new sensors which are described in this article are the SUR-20LR, and the SUR-400HSM; both currently equip more than 50 vessels of the HCG, and all designed and produced by Miltech Hellas.

New Information Unveiled on the Greek MEKO 200 Frigate Upgrade Program

On May 23, 2024, at CNE 2024, a Navy Leaders Conference, Commodore Panagiotis Karavas, Deputy Director of the Armaments Directorate for the Hellenic Navy (HN), revealed new details for the imminent modernization of the Hellenic Navy’s surface fleet. Naval News attended his briefing and described the six objectives of the Fleet’s renewal: FDI Frigates, Corvettes, Constellation-class frigates, Hydra (MEKO 200 HN) upgrade program, fast attack missile craft (FACM), patrol boats, and special operations craft (SOC). In this article, we will delve into the upgrade program for the MEKO frigates, precisely describing what the HN plans to do with the equipment of these ships, specifically regarding the mission systems (weapon systems, combat management system, communications and sensors) and platform systems (propulsion and auxiliary). My story for Naval News, here.

MLU for OPV Arkoi of the Hellenic Coast Guard

Written by D-Mitch

HCG Arkoi (050)

The sole Europatrol 250 Mk1 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Arkoi of the Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) was ordered in 1993 and delivered in November 1994, initially serving the Financial and Economic Crime Unit (SDOE) as A/L 50. In 2002, the vessel was transferred to the HCG and renamed HCG 050 Arkoi. The boat experienced severe technical problems due to the SDOE's inability to fully utilize and maintain it, resulting in long periods of immobility and limited use. Similarly, in HGC service, Arkoi was quickly immobilized and remained out of service for about ten years, mainly due to the difficulties in repairing the main engines and reducers. In 2014-15, the Greek shipowners Panos and Thanasis Laskaridis, oversaw the complete repair, maintenance, and reactivation of the Arkoi. The refurbishment was completed in December 2015, arriving at a critical time as the 300-ton patrol ship had been laid up for ten years. It was intended to operate primarily in the Eastern Aegean, where the HCG faced significant pressures from refugee and migrant flows.

Hellenic Navy Reveals Its Surface Fleet Modernization Plan

On May 23, 2024, at the Combined Naval Event (CNE) 2024, in Farnborough, UK, a Navy Leaders Conference, Commodore Panagiotis Karavas, Deputy Director of the Armaments Directorate for the Hellenic Navy (HN), revealed new details for the imminent modernization of the Hellenic Navy’s surface fleet. Note that the Greek Commodore was, until recently, the surface program director, so he was very closely involved in the Greek surface fleet programs. Naval News attended his briefing. My story for Naval News, here.