Greece postpones corvette program decision to early 2023

In the first months of 2023, the Greek government will select the preferred bidder for the Hellenic Navy (HN) corvette program, between Fincantieri’s FCX30 (based on Qatar’s Doha/Al Zubarah-class variant) and Naval Group’s Gowind (based on Egypt’s El Fateh-class variant). Today, the Greek Government Council of National Security (KYSEA) under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister K. Mitsotakis decided to postpone the decision on the new corvette program for early 2023. The Greek government will select the preferred bidder for the Hellenic Navy (HN) corvette program, between Italian Fincantieri’s FCX30 (Qatar’s Doha/Al Zubarah-class variant) and French Naval Group’s Gowind (UAE’s Bani Yas-class variant). Both manufacturers have submitted their final and best offers. My story for Naval News, here. 

First Greek-designed special operations craft receives its armament

Agenor, the first Greek indigenously designed and built special operations craft (SOC) becomes the first Hellenic Navy vessel to receive a remote weapon station (RWS). This is the first and sole vessel currently in the Hellenic Navy inventory carrying RWS. The new special operations craft of the Hellenic Navy’s Underwater Demolition Command (UDC) is a product of Phi-Mechaniseas, a company formed by Greek shipbuilders, engineers and naval system manufacturers led by Panagiotis Alourdas, Commodore HN (rtd), Nautical Architect and Mechanical Engineer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT. The Hellenic Shipyards SA (Skaramaga Shipyards) built the boat in close collaboration with the Navy and the design team. The aluminum for the construction of the craft was donated by ElvalHalcor, while the project was funded by the Hellenic Navy. The craft was launched on July 30, 2021 and entered service in May 2022. My story for Naval News, here.

Mine Laying Capability for All Navies by SH Defence

Mine laying, a low cost but very effective capability is making a comeback among navies worldwide in the wake of current events in the Black Sea. While few navies operate vessels with the capability to lay mines, Danish company SH Defence offers a new solution: A dedicated mine laying module. The Cube is a container-based modular payload concept that was first launched in 2020 by SH Defence. Today, the Cube portfolio consists in a range of over 300 payloads ranging from propulsion systems to decoy launchers and even search and rescue modules. The latest addition to The Cube ecosystem was unveiled during MAST Med 2020 conference and exhibition that took place in Athens, Greece in 2-4 November 2022: It is a Containerized Mine Laying System which can easily and quickly turn navy ships into mine laying platforms. My story for Naval News, here.

FLEETS #32: The French Navy, the Free French Naval Forces and French Naval Projects in WWII

The following image illustrate all warships that were in service with the French Navy, the French Naval Forces and the naval projects that were planned to materialize the period the WWII lasted. Free France (French: France Libre) was a political entity that claimed to be the legitimate government of France following the dissolution of the Third Republic. Led by French general Charles de Gaulle, Free France was established as a government-in-exile in London in June 1940 after the Fall of France during World War II and fought the Axis as an Allied nation with its Free French Forces (Forces françaises libres).

The image was created by www.naval-encyclopedia.com. In that page you can read some excellent naval history articles, to download other graphs or you can purchase the same graphs in high resolution in the online shop! More posts will follow for your collection of current naval fleets but also of fleets from the past.

The French Navy, the Free French Naval Forces and French Naval Projects in WWII

NAVAL FORCES #13: The future of the Greek naval forces by 2030

The following infographic provides an overview of the Hellenic Navy's planned procurement of naval vessels and aircraft, as well as the expected modernization and upgrade of in-service vessels. The period we are focusing in spans from July 8, 2019, when the new government under Prime Minister K. Mitsotakis was formed, to the end of the current decade. The graph illustrates the serious effort by the government and the current leadership of the Hellenic Navy to modernize the Greek naval forces after years of cutbacks and inactivity. Details of the planned procurements and upgrades in my article for Naval News site here.

 

Hull Vane B.V. presents its innovative products to the Hellenic Navy

At MAST Med 2022 conference and exhibition that took place in Athens, Greece in 2-4 November 2022, the Dutch company Hull Vane B.V. exhibited its Hull Vane solutions for naval and coast guard vessels. The Hull Vane® is a hydrodynamic wing attached to a ship’s stern. The company met also with Hellenic Navy officers at the Papagos camp (Pentagon) in Athens. Naval News attended MAST Med 2022 and interviewed Bruno Bouckaert, Sales Director at Hull Vane B.V. My story for Naval News, here.

INFOGRAPHICS #60: Future Surface Combatants Vol. V (Amiral Ronarc'h-class, Kimon-class, Anadolu-class)

Written by D-Mitch

In this post, I include some of the infographics I made and published on social media, about new surface combatants that are under construction and about to enter service in the near future. 

 

1. Amiral Ronarc'h-class (FDI) frigates of the French Navy (5 ships)

 

Amiral Ronarc'h-class (FDI) frigate of the French Navy

Hellenic Navy commissions its 7th and Final Roussen-class FACM

The Hellenic Navy (Πολεμικό Ναυτικό) named and commissioned its seventh and final Roussen-class (Super Vita) fast attack missile craft (FACM), HS Ypoploiarchos Vlahakos (P-79). The event took place at the Amfiali Naval Base on September 29, 2022 in presence of the Greek Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, the President of the Parliament, the Deputy Minister of Defense, the Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, the Chief Hellenic Army General Staff, the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff , the Deputy Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, the Chief in Command of the Hellenic Fleet, Members of the Parliament and other distinguished guests. The new boat was named after Lieutenant Panagiotis Vlahakos who lost his life on January 31, 1996 during the Imia crisis, when an AB 212 helicopter (PN 21) crashed into the sea. His brother Nikolaos Vlahakos christened the boat. My story for Naval News, here.

INFOGRAPHICS #59: Future Surface Combatants Vol. IV (Pohjanmaa-class, Al Jubail-class, Bani Yas-class)

Written by D-Mitch

In this post, I include some of the infographics I made and published on social media, about new surface combatants that are under construction and about to enter service in the near future

 

1. Pohjanmaa-class corvette of the Finnish Navy (4 ships)

Pohjanmaa-class corvette of the Finnish Navy. High resolution image here.

INFOGRAPHICS #58: Future Surface Combatants Vol. III (Arrowhead 140PL, Thaon di Revel-class, F126-class)

Written by D-Mitch

In this post, I include some of the infographics I made and published on social media, about new surface combatants that are under construction and about to enter service in the near future.

 

1. Arrowhead 140PL type frigates of the Polish Navy (3 ships)

Arrowhead 140PL class frigate of the Polish Navy

VIKING Norsafe MUNIN S1200 Cabin HCG of the Hellenic Coast Guard

Written by D-Mitch

VIKING Norsafe MUNIN S1200 Cabin HCG

This article is about a new craft made by VIKING Norsafe Hellas, the MUNIN S1200 Cabin HCG, that will serve with the Hellenic Coast Guard. Until now, among other products and vessels, the Greek company has delivered one (1) MUNIN S1200 Cabin and eight (8) MUNIN S1200 Extended Cabin to the Hellenic Coast Guard, one (1) MUNIN S1200 Open and one (1) MUNIN S1200 Tactical to the Hellenic Army and soon will start the construction of the first of the total 41 MUNIN S1200 Armored for the Hellenic Army, the 6th sub-type of MUNIN S1200 in the Greek inventory. All vessels were built locally in Greece at the manufacturing plant of VIKING Norsafe Hellas in Thiva. The new vessel is very similar to the MUNIN S1200 Cabin but it is equipped with different electronics and is fitted with inboard diesel engines. The boat is a donation from REGGEBORGH INVEST B.V. to the Special Missions Unit of the Central Port Authority of Kerkyra (Corfu). The Norsafe Munin S-1200 represents a state of the art platform for all professional user groups requiring the highest possible quality in terms of seaworthiness, user friendliness and safety at sea in all conditions.

INFOGRAPHICS #57: Future Surface Combatants Vol. II (DDX, Istif-class and FAC55-class)

Written by D-Mitch

In this post, I include some of the infographics I made and published on social media, about new surface combatants that are under construction and about to enter service in the near future.

 

1. DDX (under development) class destroyer of the Italian Navy (2 ships) 

 

DDX (unknown class), the future destroyer of the Italian Navy. High resolution image here.

 

Babcock submits revised proposal for Hellenic Navy corvette and frigate MLU programmes

UK shipbuilder Babcock has submitted its updated proposal to the Greek government to meet the requirements of the second phase of the Hellenic Navy's modernisation objectives. This follows the recent Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention (FDI) acquisition for the first phase. The UK offer includes newbuild Arrowhead 140 (AH140) frigates and the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the four Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates with common equipment. My story for Janes here.

FLEETS #31: The Argentine Navy in various periods

This is a collection of images created by various artists and analysts and depict the Argentine Navy fleets in various periods, from 1914 to 2018. Enjoy!

The Argentine Navy in 1933

FLEETS #30: The Royal Canadian Navy, vessels in service and in development

HMCS Halifax departs to join Operation Reassurance.

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is Canada’s naval force consisting of approximately 12,570 Regular Force and 4,111 Reserve sailors, supported by around 3,800 civilian employees. The mission of the Royal Canadian Navy is to generate combat-capable, multipurpose maritime forces that support Canada’s efforts to participate in security operations anywhere in the world, as part of an integrated Canadian Armed Forces. Τhe RCN Fleet is made up of numerous classes of ships, submarines and other vessels, as well as specialized units that allow Canada to maintain one of the most active blue-water navies in the world. Enjoy four excellent official RCN posters!

The following official Royal Canadian Navy poster depicts all the vessels in active service today, their armament and the vessels in development. For high resolution image click here.

The Royal Canadian Navy, vessels in service and in development. HR image here.

INFOGRAPHICS #56: The new European surface combatant designs, 2023-2029

The following table, was created together with Eptanisios, and includes all the known European surface combatant designs, destroyers, frigates and corvettes, that are under construction or under development, and are expected to enter service by 2029. The types/classes are listed in decreasing size (length and displacement) from left to right. As you can read also "bigger doesn't mean always stronger"! For some of them, the newest designs, the technical characteristics and armaments are not the exact ones. Note also that Russian designs are not included. Also Ukrainian designs are excluded too because it is uncertain if the shipbuilding process will continue (Ada-class). The winning designs of the Romanian and Greek corvette programs will be included in the table as soon as the result is known. It should be clarified also that some of the designs may do not carry 20-30mm RWS (such as the Type 31/AH140PL) but they do carry 40mm guns which cover both roles, CIWS and protection against asymmetrical threats, and the opposite. You can enjoy the infographics of some of the designs included in the table, here.

 

New European surface combatant designs, 2023-2029.

INFOGRAPHICS #55: United States Navy aircraft carriers since 1920

The following image created by Donn Thorson depicts all the classes of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers from 1920 till today. For all the classes, the author reports the vessels that were in each class, the general characteristics, the sensors and the main armament. Other illustrations related to U.S. Navy you can find here.

United States Navy aircraft carriers since 1920, by Donn Thorson

 

VIKING Norsafe MUNIN S1200 Tactical of the Hellenic Army Special Forces

Written by D-Mitch

VIKING Norsafe MUNIN S1200 Tactical of the Hellenic Army

This short article is about another craft made by VIKING Norsafe Hellas, the MUNIN S1200 Tactical, that will serve with the Hellenic Army Special Forces. Until now, among other products, the Greek company has delivered one (1) MUNIN S1200 Cabin, four (4) MARATHON 900 RIB-D and eight (8) MUNIN S1200 Extended Cabin to the Hellenic Coast Guard, one (1) MUNIN S1200 Open to the Hellenic Army, thirteen (13) METIS 600 RIB and three (3) METRON 850 to the Hellenic Navy. All vessels were built locally in Greece at the manufacturing plant of VIKING Norsafe Hellas in Thiva. The Tactical is the second vessel that will be delivered to the Hellenic Army for the Special Forces and is part of an old tender for four vessels of four different manufacturers, for the Hellenic Army. 

Lockheed Martin details offer for Hellenic Navy corvette and frigate MLU programmes

Lockheed Martin has revealed more details of the ‘total package' solution proposed for the modernisation of the Hellenic Navy's (HN's) frigate fleet. The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) offer includes new-build Multi-Mission Surface Combatants (MMSCs) and the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the four Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates with common equipment. My story for Janes here.

Maintenance and repair of Hellenic Coast Guard ships and vessels today

The following article is in Greek language and analyzes the important issues regarding the maintenance and repair of Hellenic Coast Guard ships and vessels, today.

 

Από Ανώνυμος Λιμενικός

Το ΛΣ090 Γαύδος τύπου Damen Stan Patrol 5509

Με την από 26/01/2022 απόφαση κυρίου Υπουργού Ναυτιλίας και Νησιωτικής Πολιτικής (ΥΝΑΝΠ) (ΑΔΑ: ΨΠΕΖ 4653ΠΩ-ΣΤ1), απορρίφθηκε ως ΜΗ ΣΥΜΦΕΡΟΥΣΑ η προσφορά της εταιρίας "DAMEN SHIPYARDS GORINCHEM BV" για την Εν Συνεχεία Υποστήριξη (Follow On Support) του 58μετρου Πλοίου Ανοιχτής Θαλάσσης ΠΑΘ/ΛΣ - ΕΛΑΚΤ 090 «Γαύδος» τύπου Stan Patrol 5509. Η απόρριψη της πρότασης σημαίνει ότι το ΛΣ θα πρέπει να βρει εξειδικευμένα συνεργεία στην Ελλάδα για συντήρηση κι επισκευές στο 090 που κόστισε 30 εκατ € στα οποία προτεραιότητα δεν θα έχει ο πιο καλός , αλλά ο πιο φθηνός. Με αφορμή αυτή την εξέλιξη, ως Λιμενικός, θα ήθελα να καταθέσω κάποιους προβληματισμούς μου όσο αφορά τη συντήρηση και την αποκατάσταση βλαβών των Περιπολικών Πλοίων και Σκαφών του ΛΣ - ΕΛΑΚΤ. 

 

INFOGRAPHICS #54: World War II and Cold War submarines of the Soviet Navy

The following images were created by Naval Encyclopedia and depict the majority of the submarine classes that served with the Soviet Navy (Military Maritime Fleet of the USSR) during World War II and Cold War (1947-1991). You can read the complete article here. Enjoy! 

Soviet Navy WWII submarines

Soviet Navy submarines during Cold War. Profiles by Mike 1979 Russia

Greece orders Viking Norsafe Hellas speedboats for Hellenic Army

Greece's General Directorate for Defense Investments and Armaments (GDDIA) signed a framework agreement on 14 December with Viking Norsafe Hellas on the procurement of 41 speedboats for Hellenic Army amphibious raider squadrons of Greece's Joint Special Operations Command, plus seven years of initial follow-on support (FOS). My story for Janes here.