INFOGRAPHICS #63: Hydra Class Upgrade Program

Infographic of a MEKO 200HN after the capability upgrade program.
Image by D-Mitch and @Aylont1

In April 2023, the Armaments Committee of the Greek Parliament has approved the implementation of a +€600 million modernization program (platform and mission systems) for the four Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates in order to extend their life by another 15-20 years. The program will be carried out by the consortium of TKMS and Thales (Thales Nederland) which were selected as the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), at a Greek shipyard which the consortium will select. The upgrade program which is referred as “Capability Upgrade” and not MLU indicating a less extensive work, was expected to begin in 2024 and to last 7 years. Note that the overall Hydra capability upgrade program consists of a number of separate sub-programs such as the acquisition and integration of ESSM Block 2 SAM, the upgrade, overhaul and/or replacement of the engines (part of it has been already executed), the upgrade or overhaul of the mission and platform systems (the program that will be executed by TKMS and Thales), the upgrade of Phalanx CIWS to the latest configuration Block 1B Baseline 2 and the upgrade of the Mk45 main gun system.Other sub-programs might be also carried out such as the installation of two RWS, L-ESM system, R-ECM or C-UAV suite, and so on. There are indications that not all ships of the class will undergo upgrades; instead, a select 2-3 vessels may receive more extensive enhancements, while the remaining ship(s) will leverage spare parts sourced from the upgraded ones. Read more here.

New French Navy OPV to Feature Integrated C-UAS System

In November 2023, Naval Group released a rendering of the new 2,400-ton offshore patrol vessel (OPV) class (7+3 vessels) to be in service by 2035 as part of the “Patrouilleurs Hauturiers” program (formerly known as Patrouilleurs Océaniques) for the French Navy (Marine Nationale). The new ships will replace the venerable D’Estienne d’Orves class (A69) and the Flamant class. The design showcases a kind of integrated round antennas distributed along the ship’s superstructure, with one antenna positioned on each side. Many observers questioned the specific purpose of this suite of antennas. Some days later, more information about the system surface during a French-Greek Security Workshop held in December 2023 in Athens, an event which the author attended following an invitation from GICAN. My story for Naval News, here.