Greece’s Second FDI Frigate Receives PSIM Integrated Mast

The hull of the second Greek FDI HN frigate, Nearchos (F602), was floated out of the dry dock on September 19, 2024. The innovative integrated mast PSIM (Panoramic Sensor & Intelligence Module) was fitted on the frigate today, October 23, 2024. Approximately a month after the technical launch of the second Greek FDI HN frigate Nearchos (F602) from its dry dock at the Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France, the final structural component—the PSIM integrated mast—was installed today on the ship. This mast, along with the inverted bow, is a key characteristic of the FDI design. The Naval Group’s mast is a separate module, manufactured independently of the hull and well in advance of sea trials. It can be powered up, tested, or even used for training purposes while still onshore. Weighing 150 tonnes and standing 42 meters tall, the integrated steel mast, known as the Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM), incorporates the ship’s Command Information Center (CIC) with the latest version of the SETIS Combat Management System (CMS), a planning room for mission command staff during flagship operations, and one of the two digital data processing centers (the other is located aft in the hull for survivability). The mast also houses the majority of the ship’s above-water sensors, providing continuous 360° surveillance. My story for Naval News, here.

On Board Kimon: Greece’s First FDI Frigate

On Friday, October 4, 2024, just three days before the first sea trials of the first FDI for the French Navy, Amiral Ronar’ch (D660), and the last day of the Euronaval 2024 Press Tour organized by GICAN, Naval News had the opportunity to board the first of three Greek FDI-type frigates under-construction, Kimon (F-601), which is in the final stages of completion at Naval Group’s shipard in Lorient, France. The acquisition of the new FDI HN frigates will mark a milestone as after about three decades, since the four Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates entered service, Greece will finally acquire modern main surface units. My story for Naval News, here. 

Greece Initiates Talks for 4th FDI HN Frigate and Cruise Missiles

During his visit to Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard on September 19, 2024, for the launching ceremony of the Hellenic Navy (HN)’s second FDI HN frigate ‘Nearchos‘ (F602), Greek Minister of Defence Nikos Dendias announced that Greece will enter negotiations to purchase a fourth FDI HN frigate and to equip a number of them with naval cruise missiles (NCM). The intention to purchase a fourth frigate by Greece reflects not only the satisfaction of the Navy’s leadership with the progress in the construction and capabilities of the new frigates but also the government’s confidence in the FDI program. My story for Naval News, here.

Greek Shipyard Delivers Blocks for France’s Second FDI

On July 13, 2024, the Salamis Shipyards delivered five (5) pre-equipped blocks of the second (and fifth in the production series) French Navy defence and intervention frigate (FDI) (Admiral Louzeau). These blocks were constructed at the Salamis Shipyards in Salamis, Greece, and are already en route from Greece to the Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, France, where they will undergo the next steps in the frigate’s construction. For the first time in history, a Greek shipyard is participating in the construction of a high-tech warship for the naval fleet of another country, specifically France, through the FDI program. My story for Naval News, here.

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.

The new eyes of the Hellenic Coast Guard: Miltech Hellas SUR-20LRM and SUR-400HSM

Written by D-Mitch

MLT-SUR-400HSM on Sa'ar 4 OPV. Photo by D-Mitch.

This article discusses the latest development in electronic equipment installed on Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) patrol vessels. We will describe two new systems from Miltech Hellas, a Greek company renowned for equipping various Hellenic Navy (HN) and HCG ships and vessels with platform mounted electro-optical sensors, namely the TDR-10 (4 systems), TDR-10A (15 systems) and TDR-HR-300 (3 systems). For detailed information on which ships are equipped with each system, please refer to the links provided. The new sensors which are described in this article are the SUR-20LR, and the SUR-400HSM; both currently equip more than 50 vessels of the HCG, and all designed and produced by Miltech Hellas.

New Information Unveiled on the Greek MEKO 200 Frigate Upgrade Program

On May 23, 2024, at CNE 2024, a Navy Leaders Conference, Commodore Panagiotis Karavas, Deputy Director of the Armaments Directorate for the Hellenic Navy (HN), revealed new details for the imminent modernization of the Hellenic Navy’s surface fleet. Naval News attended his briefing and described the six objectives of the Fleet’s renewal: FDI Frigates, Corvettes, Constellation-class frigates, Hydra (MEKO 200 HN) upgrade program, fast attack missile craft (FACM), patrol boats, and special operations craft (SOC). In this article, we will delve into the upgrade program for the MEKO frigates, precisely describing what the HN plans to do with the equipment of these ships, specifically regarding the mission systems (weapon systems, combat management system, communications and sensors) and platform systems (propulsion and auxiliary). My story for Naval News, here.