Greece’s New FDI HN Frigates to Feature Advanced Decoy Launchers

At DEFEA 2023, LACROIX formally confirms the Hellenic Navy's choice to equip its new defence and intervention frigates (FDI HN) with the SYLENA MK1 decoy launching systems (DLS) and associated ammunition. The press release by Lacroix during DEFEA 2023 officially confirms that the three under-construction FDI HN frigates will be equipped with the SYLENA Mk1 DLS. We had assumed that it will be this specific model of DLS since late 2022 already and not the SYLENA Mk2 model which carries additionally three (3) CANTO anti-torpedo decoys each, because FDI frigates will be equipped with the new Counter Measure Launching Systems (CMLS) by Naval Group; two CMLS will equip FDI carrying six (6) CANTO each. Therefore the installation of four SYLENA MK1 DLS was logical. My story for Naval News, here.

IAI to equip Greek S-70B-6 helicopters with new sensor

IAI TAMAM Division will supply its MOSP3000-HD sensor payloads for the Hellenic Navy S-70B-6 helicopters as part of a modernization package. TAMAM Division of the Systems Missiles & Space (SMS) Group of of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) won a Hellenic Navy tender for an undefined number of its MOSP3000-HD highly stabilized long-range reconnaissance and targeting multi-sensor turret. Naval News learned the information from a source with knowledge of the matter but who wished to remain unnamed. My story for Naval News, here. 

Cyprus’ Swarmly Unveils New ‘B5 Hydra’ Armed USV

Cypriot company Swarmly will present a new armed unmanned surface vessel (USV), the B5 Hydra, at the upcoming DEFEA 2023 defense exhibition held in Athens, Greece, in May. Swarmly‘s head offices and manufacturing facilities are located in Limassol, Cyprus. The company is known for its Poseidon VTOL UAS (H10 and H12 models) which serve in the armed forces of 8 countries from Africa, South-East Asia and Europe, including the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Specifically the company told Naval News that in Ukraine, they are among very few foreign-made systems that can operate in the very difficult GPS-denied and electronic warfare environment one may face there. My exclusive story about this new USV for Naval News, here.

INFOGRAPHICS #62: Future Surface Combatants Vol. VΙI (Tamandare-class, SIGMA 12516, SIGMA 10514)

 Written by D-Mitch

In this post, I include some of the infographics I made and published on social media, about new surface combatants that are under construction and about to enter service in the near future as well as proposed designs to various recent competitions but without a customer yet.

1. Tamandaré-class light frigates/corvettes of the Brazilian Navy (4 ships)

 

Tamandare-class light frigate/corvette of the Brazilian Navy

New Gowind Corvette for the UAE Starts Sea Trials

The first Gowind type corvette for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy, Bani Yas (P110), has started its sea trials on March 6, 2023. It is the most advanced design to date in the Gowind family. Bani Yas is a multi-mission stealth corvette built by Naval Group providing multiple simultaneous capabilities and designed to achieve, with the highest level of performance, the full spectrum of naval defence operations and maritime security roles. In 2019, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ordered two Gowind-type corvettes to be built in France. The first corvette, Bani Yas, was launched in December 2021. The second one, Al Emarat, was launched in May 2022 at the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient. My story for Naval News, here. 

Ten new Kewatec high-speed patrol boats for the Cyprus Port and Marine Police

Press release by Kewatec Shipyards

Kewatec SAR 850

Government of the Republic of Cyprus – Ministry of Justice and Public Order – Cyprus Port and Marine Police (Coast Guard) have ordered ten (10) new high-speed patrol boats from Kewatec. The boats are aluminum-hulled RIB-type with foam fenders. The boats are capable of a top speed of more than 50 knots. The boats are a new model called Kewatec SAR 850 and will be handed over in the second half of 2024. The boats are designed for several operational needs for example patrolling, sea rescue, special missions, and coast guard. The boats will patrol the coastal areas of Cyprus and territorial waters up to 24 nautical miles from the nearest shore.

The Importance of FDI Frigates Procurement by the Hellenic Navy

On the eve of Greek Independence Day on March 24, 2022, on the deck of the legendary armored cruiser Georgios Averof (permanently docked as a museum ship at Paleo Faliro) and in a celebratory atmosphere, Greek officials signed a contract with French manufacturers Naval Group, MBDA and Thales, for the procurement of three (plus one optional) Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention or FDI (Defense and Intervention Frigates) in their Hellenic Navy (HN) configuration (FDI HN), along with their weapons load and integrated logistics support (ILS). The option for the fourth FDI HN with related weapons load and ILS expires on June 30, 2023 under the terms and conditions of the contract. My story for Naval News, here.

INFOGRAPHICS #61: Future Surface Combatants Vol. VΙ (ΜΕΚΟ Α-300, HF2, SIGMA 11515 EXT.AAW)

Written by D-Mitch

In this post, I include some of the infographics I made and published on social media, about new surface combatants that are under construction and about to enter service in the near future. In this Vol. VI post however I will include some designs that have been proposed to various Navies' competitions but until now they have not find a customer.

1. ΜΕΚΟ Α-300 frigate, a TKMS design that was proposed for Greece (FDI HN won the competition) and Poland (AH140PL won the competition)

Indicative equipment of a MEKO A-300 frigate by TKMS

Greek naval vessels to be fitted with SPIKE missiles

Greece will proceed with the procurement of SPIKE fire-and-forget missiles from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to equip eight naval vessels of two different types. The Greek Governmental Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA), under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, decided today to proceed with the procurement of SPIKE missiles from the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, to equip the Hellenic Armed Forces. The acquisition of SPIKE fire-and-forget missiles will equip, among others, eight naval vessels in total, of two different types. My story for Naval News, here.