Fincantieri reveals details of its FCx30 Corvette Proposal to Greece

During DEFEA 2023 in Athens, Naval News met with Dario Deste, Fincantieri’s General Manager Naval Vessels Division, to learn more about Fincantieri’s FCx30 proposal for the Hellenic Navy corvette program. The Italian shipbuilder competes with France’s Naval Group. Mr. Deste confirmed that Fincantieri and ONEX Elefsis Shipyards are in negotiations with the Greek government for 3+1 FCx30 corvettes which will be built in Italy (for the first-in-class ship) and Greece (for the following three). This is the design that has been selected by the Qatari Emiri Navy as Al Zubarah-class (known also as Doha-class); three of the four vessels in the class are already in active service since 2021. My story for Naval News, here. 

LIONFISH remote weapon stations for the Hellenic Navy

Naval News revealed yesterday that the Hellenic Navy decided to equip its new FDI HN frigates with the Leonardo LIONFISH 20 new RWS. Today, we met Leonardo to know more about this new weapon system. LIONFISH is the new family of small caliber remote-controlled weapon stations (RWS). Designed and developed by Leonardo, the new line consists of four models that feature the most advanced technologies available on the market today, including Ultralight, Inner Reloading, and Top in 12.7 mm caliber and Model 20 in 20 mm caliber. Featuring a common architecture, the Lionfish family of turrets is characterized by a compact and lightweight structure. Their lightweight, compact dimensions and safe deployment make them an excellent choice for installation on small ships or as secondary armament on larger vessels. My story for Naval News, here. 

Greece’s FDI HN frigates: Naval Group reveals new details

Naval News obtained from Naval Group a new illustration that depicts in details the sensors which will equip the new Hellenic Navy (HN) defense and intervention frigates (FDI HN) as well as changes in the equipment. During DEFEA 2023 in Athens, Naval News met with Stéphane Fremont, Naval Group’s Vice President – Surface Combatant Programs. We discussed the new image in order to clarify some questions regarding the FDI HN configuration. My story for Naval News, here.

Greece’s New FDI Frigates to Feature Advanced Decoy Launchers

At DEFEA 2023, LACROIX formally confirms the Hellenic Navy's choice to equip its new defence and intervention frigates (FDI HN) with the SYLENA MK1 decoy launching systems (DLS) and associated ammunition. The press release by Lacroix during DEFEA 2023 officially confirms that the three under-construction FDI HN frigates will be equipped with the SYLENA Mk1 DLS. We had assumed that it will be this specific model of DLS since late 2022 already and not the SYLENA Mk2 model which carries additionally three (3) CANTO anti-torpedo decoys each, because FDI frigates will be equipped with the new Counter Measure Launching Systems (CMLS) by Naval Group; two CMLS will equip FDI carrying six (6) CANTO each. Therefore the installation of four SYLENA MK1 DLS was logical. My story for Naval News, here.

IAI to equip Greek S-70B-6 helicopters with new sensor

IAI TAMAM Division will supply its MOSP3000-HD sensor payloads for the Hellenic Navy S-70B-6 helicopters as part of a modernization package. TAMAM Division of the Systems Missiles & Space (SMS) Group of of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) won a Hellenic Navy tender for an undefined number of its MOSP3000-HD highly stabilized long-range reconnaissance and targeting multi-sensor turret. Naval News learned the information from a source with knowledge of the matter but who wished to remain unnamed. My story for Naval News, here.