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!

First new Greek FDI frigate receives PSIM integrated mast

A month after the technical launch of the first Greek FDI HN frigate Kimon (F601) from its dry dock at Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France, the final structural part of the superstructure, was fitted on the ship, the PSIM integrated mast. Τhe entry into service of Kimon in 2025 will mark the beginning of a new era for Greece’s naval capabilities as several characteristics of the new frigate are introduced for the first time in the Navy, of which among them is this specific mast. My story for Naval News, here.

New Insights Emerge about Greece’s FDI HN Frigates

October 4, 2023, will be remembered as a deeply emotional and historical day for all Greeks who watched online or attended at Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France the ceremonial launch of the first modern Greek frigate in nearly three decades. The anticipated commissioning of the lead ship of the Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigate in early 2025 will herald the rejuvenation of the Hellenic Navy with one of the most formidable and cutting-edge designs on a global level. Τhe entry into service of Kimon (F601) in 2025 will mark the beginning of a new era for Greece’s naval capabilities. My story for Naval News, here.

Greece’s First FDI HN Frigate Technically Launched by Naval Group

Today marks a significant historical moment for Greece and the Hellenic Navy: The lead ship of the new Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates was technically launched at the Naval Group Shipyard in Lorient, France. This outcome stems from the agreement signed in March 2022 between Greek officials with French manufacturers Naval Group, MBDA and Thales. The agreement calls for the procurement of three (plus one optional) Defense and Intervention Frigates (FDI) in their Hellenic Navy (HN) configuration, along with their weapons package and integrated logistics support (ILS). My story for Naval News, here.

FLEETS #33: Voksmarine, Bundesmarine, Royal Netherlands Navy and Turkish Navy in Cold War

The following images illustrate the most important classes of warships that were in service with the navies of East Germany, West Germany, the Netherlands and Turkey during the Cold War. All the images are created by www.naval-encyclopedia.com. In that page you can read some excellent naval history articles, to download other graphs or you can purchase the same graphs in high resolution in the online shop! More posts will follow for your collection of current naval fleets but also of fleets from the past.

 

East German Navy (Volksmarine) in Cold War

East German Navy (Volksmarine) in Cold War

New additions to the Hellenic Navy

The Hellenic Navy’s future multi-mission ship Perseus arrived on September 1 at Salamis Naval Base where she will receive the proper modifications in order to join the Greek Fleet the coming weeks. This is the fourth multi-purpose ship that joins the Navy as fleet support ship, all former commercial vessels and all donated by the Greek shipowner and president of Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation Panos Laskaridis. Few hours after the arrival of Perseus to Greece, the last pair of Island-class cutters, that were transferred to the Hellenic Navy by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), arrived in Salamis Naval Base. My story for Naval News, here. 

North Korea reveals a new cruise missile-armed corvette

An Amnok-class corvette of the North Korean Navy made an interesting appearance during a demonstration to the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un, Pyongyang’s state media reported Monday without disclosing the date of his visit. Kim Jong Un inspected the Guards 2nd Surface Ship Flotilla of the East Sea Fleet of the Navy of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) honored with the title of O Jung Hup-led 7th Regiment. A demonstration of the capabilities of a new warship which we see for the first time in such detail took place, the Patrol Ship (corvette) No. 661 of the Amnok-class. My story for Naval News, here.

Three new Tehnomont fast patrol vessels for the Cyprus Port and Marine Police

The new Cypriot 18-meter fast patrol vessel

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus – Ministry of Justice and Public Order – Cyprus Port and Marine Police (Coast Guard) has received three (3) new fast patrol vessels from the Croatian shipbuilder Tehnomont. The first of the boat, named Kyrenia (Patrol Vessel; PV 31), was launched in May 2023 and the rest two, Kantara (PV 32) in June and Pentadaktylos (PV 33) in August, at the company's shipyard in Pula. TEHNOMONT SHIPYARD PULA Ltd is listed as the leading Croatian shipyard of medium dimensions, and the fact that they are one of the leading builders of aluminum ships on the Croatian market. The shipyard, which has some 150 employees, will deliver also two 25-meter firefighting vessels for Greece by the end of the year.