INFOGRAPHICS #53: Characteristics of the corvette candidates for the Hellenic Navy's corvette program

By Lysimachos Samasitis

An Egyptian Gowind 2500 corvette and a Greek Hydra
class frigate in an exercise. Photo by Nick Thodos

This post is about the characteristics of the corvette candidates for the Hellenic Navy's corvette program. The Navy’s program amounts to €5 billion, and includes the construction of a combination of frigates and corvettes that will replace the nine old Elli (Kortenaer)-class frigates, the upgrade of some of the four Hydra-class (MEKO-200HN) frigates and the acquisition (if possible) of interim solution ships (at least two major surface combatants). The frigate program has been awarded to the French shipbuilder Naval Group which is already in advanced negotiations with Greece to supply up to four FDI frigates. It is expected that the winner of the corvette program will build four vessels. The following table is the result of an effort to capture the basic characteristics of the proposed corvettes for the Greek naval program by Lysimachos Samasitis.

INFOGRAPHICS #52: Royal Navy battleships, battlecruisers and HMS Warrior

The following images are created by Steve Freeman (sfreeman421 for deviantart) and depict all the classes of battleships and battlecruisers that served with the Royal Navy as well as the famous HMS Warrior, the first ocean-going armour-plated, iron-hulled warship, which is now a museum ship. Enjoy this great artwork! 

Royal Navy battleships. Original artwork and illustration: Steve Freeman.

INFOGRAPHICS #51: Αmphibious Ready Group (ARG)

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is underway
in formation in the Atlantic Ocean, 2009. The 22nd Marine
Expeditionary Unit, deployed aboard the ships of the
Bataan ARG, is serving as the theater reserve force
for U.S. European Command. U.S. Marine Corps photo

An amphibious ready group (ARG) of the United States Navy consists of a naval element—a group of warships known as an Amphibious Task Force (ATF)—and a landing force (LF) of U.S. Marines (and, occasionally U.S. Army soldiers), totaling about 5,000 people. Together, these elements and supporting units are trained, organized, and equipped to perform amphibious operations.The resulting forces may range from a single Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) [ARG/MEU (SOC)], to a larger organization capable of employing a Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) or even a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). Normally two to three ARGs are forward deployed: one in the Mediterranean Sea/Persian Gulf–Indian Ocean area, and one or two in the western Pacific Ocean area. The other ships of the ARG are either working up to deploy, in transit, or in overhaul. One ARG/MEU, known as Task Force 76/Expeditionary Strike Group 7, is forward based in Sasebo and Okinawa, Japan. In most cases, the ATF will be deployed under the protective umbrella of a Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which provides cover for the ATF and combat support to operations ashore. Ships of the ATF are capable of embarking and supporting other forces when the mission requires, including the United States Army, Special Operations Forces (SOF), or other joint and combined forces.

Damen submits proposal for Greek Navy corvette programme

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has submitted a proposal based on its proven SIGMA 10514 design to the General Directorate for Defense Investments and Armaments (GDDIA) for the Hellenic Navy's (HN) corvette programme, industry sources have confirmed to Janes. My story for Janes here.

Greece signs LOI with the Netherlands for second-hand frigates and minehunters

Greece has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Netherlands for the possible transfer of two modernised Karel Doorman (M)-class frigates and six Alkmaar (Tripartite)-class mine-countermeasures (MCM) vessels to the Hellenic Navy. The LOI was signed between the Hellenic defence procurement agency GDDIA and the Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) on 27 October. My story for Janes here.

FLEETS #29: THE HELLENIC NAVY FLEET TODAY - Ο ΣΤΟΛΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΛΕΜΙΚΟΥ ΝΑΥΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ (2021)

By D-Mitch

The following Fleet graph (that took me significant amount of time to make it!) depicts all the vessels of the Hellenic Navy in 2023 (UPDATED) excluding tugboats, passenger transfer ships, RIB, LCVP, floating cranes, SOC smaller than 16m in length and other minor vessels. All the figures are completely new! I tried my best to illustrate each different type. It is in Greek. An older version of the Greek Fleet in English you can find it here. Please respect my work and do not modify or alter my graph. Enjoy!

Το ακόλουθο γράφημα Στόλου (το οποίο μου πήρε αρκετό χρόνο να το δημιουργήσω!) απεικονίζει όλα τα σκάφη του Πολεμικού Ναυτικού το 2023 (ΑΝΑΝΕΩΜΕΝΟ) με εξαίρεση ρυμουλκά, πλοία μεταφοράς προσωπικού, βοηθητικά βάσης, πλωτούς γερανούς, φουσκωτά σκάφη, ακάτους, ΣΑΠ μικρότερα των 16μ σε μήκος και άλλα δευτερεύοντα σκάφη. Όλες οι φιγούρες είναι εντελώς νέες! Προσπάθησα να απεικονίσω τον κάθε τύπο ελληνικού πολεμικού όσο πλησιέστερα με την πραγματική του μορφή. Παρακαλώ σεβαστείτε τον κόπο μου και μην αλλοιώσετε ή τροποποιήσετε το γράφημα! 

HELLENIC NAVY FLEET TODAY - Ο ΣΤΟΛΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΛΕΜΙΚΟΥ ΝΑΥΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ (2023)

INFOGRAPHICS #50: Hellenic Navy - Present and future inventory

By Aylont1

The following graph depicts the present inventory of the Hellenic Navy in vessels analytically and an estimation of the future composition of the Fleet. Where MLU This excellent graphs was created for Naval Analyses by Aylont1, a Twitter account worth following!

Hellenic Navy, present and future inventory, by Aylont1.
High resolution image here.

Hellenic Navy set to receive new special operations vessel

Hellenic Shipyards is preparing to hand over the first domestically designed and built special operations craft (SOC) to the Hellenic Navy in the coming weeks, the shipbuilder has told Janes. The new vessel, named Agenor, was built with funding provided by the Hellenic Navy. It was launched on 30 July and is currently completing sea trials. My story for Janes here.

Vippon’s SOFTMOUNT: Increasing the lethality of Hellenic Navy and Hellenic Coast Guard vessels easily and with very low cost

Written by D-Mitch

Firing an MG3 installed on a Softmount

One of the exhibits at DEFEA 2021 that unfortunately did not receive the proper attention from the Greek Press, was the SOFTMOUNT lightweight mounts for machine guns of the Danish Rubtec AS. The SOFTMOUNT was presented in Greece in collaboration with the Greek company Vippon SA. Vippon is internationally known as a supplier of rubberized track parts and track systems for main battle tanks and tracked vehicles, while in recent years it has expanded its activities by participating in various systems development and manufacturing clusters as a supplier of various components and spareparts. In relation to the mounts, Vippon has undertaken their presentation to the Armed Forces of Greece and Cyprus, as well as the domestic production of their components, their final assembly-installation as well as their subsequent support in terms of spare parts and maintenance.