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.