Written by D-Mitch
 |
| P-268 Aittitos of Machitis class. Photo: Hellenic Navy |
Machitis class consists of four patrol boats in service with the navy of Greece, the Hellenic Navy. The design is by Hellenic Shipyards thus the origin of designation HSY-56A, an improved design of the previous HSY-56 which is based on the Danish Osprey-55 (both classes will analyzed in a common article in the future). The boats of the class are the most modern patrol vessels of Hellenic Navy and some of the best equipped boats worldwide in this displacement and category, especially in the electronic equipment and the variety of sensors. The ships were built by Hellenic Shipyards and delivered to Hellenic Navy the period 2003-2005. The full displacement of the ships is close to 575tons, the length is approximately 56m, the maximum speed is about 23-24knots while the range is 2,500n.m. with the cruising speed of 15knots. The crew is 36 people (50 people max. according to Hellenic Shipyards) while each ship can carry additionally 21 fully equipped troops; usually Special Forces soldiers. Each vessel carries two Barracuda 7m Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIB) that have a maximum speed of 60knots. Moreover, the ships have the capability to deposit mines from the two mine rails they have at the stern and thus to operate as small minelayers.
