Frigate FDI HN LIGHT: a logical choice, for a powerful Greek Fleet!

Article by pro
Graphs by Aylont1

The FDI HN LIGHT concept. Graph by Aylont1

Following closely the efforts of the Hellenic Navy (HN) in recent years, after a period of inactivity due to the country's economic situation, we understand the difficulties this endeavor faces, with the main obstacle being cost. The author's perspective on resolving this challenging situation has remained consistent through social media channels. The main idea is that the Navy should focus on procuring surface units of adequate size, such as frigates, with equipment that meets the Navy's requirements as outlined in the informal competition of the corvette acquisition program. Moreover, this equipment should be offered by companies participating in the program. At the very least, it should be similar in quality. 

Thus, the Navy, with a larger-sized vessel instead of a corvette, can benefit from the relatively low cost of size increase. This is because the small value of the hull of the warship is mainly burdened by equipment, such as sensors, armament, and other equipment. Consequently, a larger vessel could offer all the advantages in terms of survival, operational range, autonomy, personnel comfort, and, of course, the development potential that a larger vessel offers.

Greece receives first MH-60R helicopters

Greece received the first Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk maritime multi-mission helicopters on 20 March. The first three of seven helicopters for the Hellenic Navy (HN) were received by Hellenic Navy Aviation Command (HNAC) at Naval Fort Kotroni in Marathon during a ceremony which was attended by the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and other senior Greek and US government and Greek military dignitaries. My story for Janes here.

INFOGRAPHICS #64: PES 10714CO, the new light frigate of the Colombian Navy

Written by D-Mitch

Damen-Cotecmar PES 10714CO, the new
light frigate of the Colombian Navy

In this comprehensive post, I illustrate the equipment details of the Colombian Navy's new light frigate using graphical representations. Drawing from the latest insights sourced from infodefensa.com and with invaluable assistance from Erich Saumeth Cadavid, an esteemed analyst and correspondent at infodefensa, Janes, and Mönch, we delve into the evolving construction progress and specifications of this new design for the program Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES). The design is based on the proven design of the SIGMA 10514 multi-mission light frigate/corvette of Damen that was successfully constructed in other non-Damen shipyards, and serves with the Navies of Mexico and Indonesia. According to the Colombian MoD, Colombia selected Damen Shipyards as the technological ally because it obtained the best conditions in terms of effectiveness, cost and risk for the joint development of the contractual design of the frigate in Colombia. The PES programme calls for the local construction of up to five (5) frigates to replace the Colombian Navy's four ageing Almirante Padilla-class (FS1500) frigates, and its two Pohang-class corvettes that were acquired from the Republic of Korea Navy. 

Greek frigate ‘Hydra’ enters Red Sea

The Hellenic Navy frigate Hydra (F-452), a MEKO 200HN type multi-mission frigate, has arrived in the Red Sea after passing through the Suez Canal on March 2, 2024. The Greek frigate Hydra is part of an EU naval group under the CDSP maritime security operation ASPIDES that aims to safeguard maritime security and ensure freedom of navigation, especially for merchant and commercial vessels, in the area where numerous Houthi attacks have targeted international commercial vessels since October 2023. Within its defensive mandate, the operation will provide maritime situational awareness, accompany vessels, and protect them against possible multi-domain attacks at sea. My story for Naval News, here.

Greece Expresses Interest in Co-Production of Constellation-class Frigates

The Greek Minister of Defence Nikolaos Dendias has officially announced Greece's ambitious plan to construct seven Constellation-class frigates, showcasing the nation's commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities. The surprise announcement came shortly after a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, approving the allocation of four (4) Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) to Greece as part of a comprehensive equipment package. The ambitious plan involves the construction of up to seven (7) state-of-the-art Constellation-class (FFG-62) frigates in Greece for the Hellenic Navy (HN). My story for Naval News, here.

Greece closer than ever to procure LCS from the U.S.

The recent letter from the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis regarding the allocation of four Freedom-class LCS (Littoral Combat Ships) to Greece, within the framework of a large-scale equipment package that includes a plethora of systems to enhance or modernize all branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces, confirms in its entirety the longstanding rumors of Greece’s interest in acquiring LCS. Numerous reports, statements from Greek public figures, defense journalists, and the leadership of the Hellenic Navy (HN) indicated that Greece was actively considering the acquisition of LCS following their retirement from the US Navy. Note that the US Navy plans to retire a large number of the vessels of the class years ahead of the expected end of their service lives, ships which are extremely young by any standards and cost billions to build. My story for Naval News, here.

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.

PHOTO GALLERY #39: Limnos, frigate of the Hellenic Navy

Photos by Christos Koffas

 

HS Limnos, Elli-class frigate of the Hellenic Navy

This photo gallery showcases the Elli-class (Kortenaer) frigate, HS Limnos, belonging to the Hellenic Navy (HN). The HS Limnos is part of a fleet of ten (10) Kortenaer-class frigates (nine in service today) acquired by Greece between 1981 and 2001. Notably, it is one of the two frigates in this class, alongside HS Elli, procured completely new while still under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN). The remaining vessels were obtained as second-hand units between 1993 and 2001, following their retirement from the RNN. A unique feature of the HS Limnos and HS Elli is their distinctive armament, which includes two OTO 76mm guns and two Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS). This sets them apart from their counterparts within the class. For a substantial period, these two frigates held the distinction of being the most modern and powerful vessels in the Hellenic Navy, until the introduction of the first Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigate.The two ships received an MLU in 2006-2010. Enjoy the photos!