Hellenic Navy News

VIKING Norsafe Life-saving Equipment HELLAS has secured orders from Greece’s Ministry of Shipping & Island Policy to deliver 31 patrol boats and three high-speed boats to the Hellenic Coast Guard. The orders, covered in three separate contracts with the VIKING Life-saving Equipment subsidiary, are part of an EU-backed Hellenic Coast Guard procurement program which was initiated four years ago.Two of the contracts cover 31 boats based on VIKING Norsafe’s proven Munin S1200 hull form, with the design adapted to meet client requirements.

Introducing a new class of warship can be fraught with pain, and the first ship is always the hardest – almost always behind schedule and over budget. And trying something new and transformational is even harder.The U.S. Navy knows this from experience. That’s one reason why the Navy is opting for a lower risk design for its next class of guided missile frigates (FFGs).Just about every new class has experienced a rough start. Although the USS Arleigh Burke-class of guided missile destroyers (DDGs) today represent the largest and most successful class of warships…

Aerospace, defense and security company Babcock said it is gearing up to showcase its frigate design, build and support credentials as it continues its engagement in Greece around its bid to deliver the Hellenic Navy’s new frigate modernization program.Supported by the U.K. government, Babcock has been fine-tuning its program to provide the Hellenic Navy with a Hydra Class upgrade program, an interim frigate capability and four Babcock Arrowhead 140 frigates.Babcock said its industrial strategy would see it support the modernization of Greek shipyard facilities…

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment reports it has won a tender to supply the Hellenic Army Special Forces with its Munin S1200 daughter craft, continuing a series of agreements that support patrol, defense and search and rescue capability of Hellenic seaborne forcesDesigned to operate for extended periods of time away from land or its mother ship, the 12m length by 3.5m deep-V hull boat will support Special Forces in tactical maneuvers, patrol and search and rescue operations. The Munin…

Danish company  Viking Life-Saving Equipment has won an order for eleven METIS Rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) from the Greek Navy.The new RIBs will be deployed mainly to support search and rescue operations on delivery over the summer of 2020. They will replace craft currently used onboard larger vessels in the Hellenic Navy’s fleet, including its ΜΕΚΟ-type frigates.John Georgiadis Managing Director, VIKING Norsafe Life-Saving Equipment Hellas said his company won the deal against…

French industrial group specialized in naval defense Naval Group held a steel-cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction on the first-in-class vessel, the French Navy's first defense and intervention frigate (FDI)  that is natively protected against cyber threats.The ceremony was led in the presence of the Minister for Armed Forces, Florence Parly, the Head of the French Armament Directorate (DGA) Délégué général pour l’Armement, Joël Barre, the Chief of Staff of the French Navy Christophe Prazuck, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy Nikolaos.Sylvain Perrier, Naval Group Director of the FDI program declared during this event: “Today, after the successful completion of the initial studies and development phases, we are proud, to reach this first industrial milestone.

Adm. Mark Ferguson, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, visited U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, his first visit since taking command in July. Ferguson visited Souda Bay to thank Sailors stationed there for supporting forward deployed naval forces and to strengthen the enduring partnership with Hellenic Navy counterparts. “You represent the United States Navy and the United States to the people of Crete and to Greece. I want to thank you for how you conduct yourselves and how you represent our country,” said Ferguson during an all hands call. During the all hands call, Ferguson imparted on Sailors the importance of their mission in Souda.

USS Slater, the last Destroyer Escort afloat in America, will soon return to her home berth in Albany, New York. Launched in 1944, Slater served gallantly in both the Battle of the Atlantic and the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. In 1951, Slater was transferred to Greece under the Military Defense Assistance Program. Renamed Aetos (Eagle), she served as an Hellenic Navy training ship for forty years. In 1993, after deactivation, she was brought back to the United States by a group of former Destroyer Escort Sailors.

USS Slater's Log Book entry for May 1, 1944 states, "Moored starboard side to Lee Terminal, Tampa, Florida. Captain R.B. Daggett, USN, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Tampa, representing the Commandant, Seventh Naval District, placed the ship in commission pursuant to orders from the Chief of Naval Operations. Lieutenant Commander Marcel J. It seems to be a very quiet beginning to a 70-year journey that has taken USS Slater around the world and to her home in Albany, New York. That journey has included convoy duty in the North Atlantic…

Hellenic Navy warship, HS Psara joined EU Naval Force Somalia, Operation Atalanta Wednesday, February 20. The Greek Navy frigate left the Salamina Naval Base on Thursday, February 13. HS Psara will be part of the EU’s counter-piracy operation in the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean for a period of three months. The warship previously participated in EU Naval Force between December 2008 to April 2009. HS Psara is a Hydra class frigate and was commissioned into the Greek Navy in 1998.

Attendees at the IQPC Offshore Patrol Vessels Middle East 2013 conference, which concluded on Dec. 11, agreed that that the safety and security of maritime commerce in the Arabian Gulf, Res Sea and their approaches, is an international responsibility shared by regional and international partners. The conference was chaired by Rear Admiral (R) Ahmed Al Sabab Al Teneiji, former chief of naval forces for the UAE Navy. The event focused on regional security cooperation; offshore patrol vessel design, procurement and operations; coastal surveillance; and maritime domain awareness.

As policy leaders wrapped up the Manama Dialog, an international security conference in Bahrain, maritime and naval leaders commenced their meetings in Abu Dhabi to discuss practical implementation of those policies and improving abilities of nations and partners to meet growing challenges to maritime security, safety and sovereignty. The IQPC Offshore Patrol Vessel conference at the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi is being attended by naval, coast guard, security, and other maritime and military professionals.

AdvanFort appointed Dimitrios Angelopoulos, a retired Hellenic Navy submarine commander, as its new business development manager. Before coming to AdvanFort, Mr. Angelopoulos worked for Hellenic Shipyards S.A. as the project manager for the 214-type submarine contract with the Hellenic Navy. A Hellenic Naval Academy graduate, he has an Executive MBA degree from the University of Piraeus and an MBA degree from the University of Louisville. As a career submarine officer, Mr. Angelopoulos served for 15 years in the submarine fleet…

Transas Hellas in collaboration with Transas Mediterranean SAS supplied the Naval Training Command of the Hellenic Navy with a Bridge Simulator. The bridge simulator covers the training needs of the HN/NTC (Hellenic Navy / Naval Training Command), regarding the training and practice of Hellenic Navy War Ships team as well as the HN personnel. The simulator also meets the standards of the IMO regulations. Additionally it has the ability to network with other simulators and will be able to expand and operate up to 16 bridges.

Caption: Composite image of patrol vessel for Royal Netherlands navy to be equipped with Thordon seawater lubricated COMPAC propeller shaft bearings. Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, Netherlands will fit Thordon seawater lubricated Compac propeller shaft bearings to four Patrol Vessels that will be built for the Royal Netherlands Navy. With a 30 year history of supplying seawater lubricated bearings to many of the world’s navies, the Thordon Compac bearing system offers operational and wear performance…

Leica Marine GPS has won orders to supply high-precision marine DGPS receivers for four new Hellenic Navy gunboats. Each of the gunboats will be fitted with a Leica MX 420/8 DGPS receiver, which will be used as the primary navigation aid. The MX 420/8 will be interfaced with other bridge equipment, including the BridgeMaster E navigation radars, DSC radio, central clock system and gyrocompass. The contract includes options for two more gunboats. The equipment will be installed and commissioned by Radio Marine Electronics, the Greek sales and service agent for Leica Marine GPS. The four new gunboats are being built at the Hellenic Shipyard Co., in Skaramanga, with the first scheduled delivery in mid-2002.

Litton Marine Systems (LMS) won a contract to supply navigation radars for four new Hellenic Navy gunboats. The contract was awarded to Litton by Thomson-CSF Signaal, which is the primary combat systems contractor for the four new vessels being built at the Hellenic Shipyard Co., Skaramanga. The first of the new gunboats will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy starting in mid-2002. Litton will supply Decca BridgeMaster E naval radars with a special naval transceiver unit and 250-mm color ARPA display. The radars will be integrated by Signaal into the TACTICOS combat management system. The contract includes equipment, installation, commissioning, spares support and training for Hellenic Navy personnel.

Mine warfare ship USS Pelican (MHC 53) departs from Naval Support Activity (NSA) New Orleans. Pelican conducted a three-day port call to the New Orleans before returning to her homeport at Naval Station Ingleside, Texas. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Two Osprey-Class Coastal Mine Hunters, USS Heron (MHC 52) and USS Pelican (MHC 53), were decommissioned March 16, and transferred to the Hellenic Navy (HN) in the first official transfer of ships between nations at the South Texas base. Capt. Dave Tungett, of the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Ships and Rear Adm. Iaonnis Karaiskos, Deputy Chief of Staff, Hellenic Navy, signed the official transfer documents following the decommissioning. “This is an occasion that is sad, but yet happy,” said Lt. Cmdr.

The Hellenic Navy have specified VT Halmatic Arctic 20 rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for use aboard their new class of fast attack craft. The first boats have now been delivered to Greece for operational training prior to deployment. The new Arctic 20 has been designed for demanding military and commercial operators requiring a smaller robust general purpose RIB suitable for a wide variety of operational requirements. The Hellenic Navy’s Arctic 20 RIBs are fitted with twin 90hp outboard motors providing responsive handling and top speeds in excess of 40 knots. Davit-mounted aboard the new 62m ships the new Arctic 20’s will be used for general ship’s duties including boarding, rescue and personnel transfer.

As a resounding endorsement of its long-term commitment to shipbuilding in the U.K., Vosper Thornycroft (VT) has created a state-of-the-art ship production facility within Portsmouth Naval Base. Having recently attained preliminary operational status through steel cutting on 295-ft. (90-m) transport barge, the 33-acre naval shipbuilding yard is set to play a key role in the construction of the Royal Navy's next generation of destroyers while extending VT's overall build capabilities and market reach. It has been some decades since Britain last saw the opening of a new yard of any significant size, and VT's initiative ensures a future for the industry in southern England.

Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S) Group is now to equip a fourth Class 214 submarine with modern propulsion, control and monitoring technology for Greece. The project includes delivery of the Permasyn electric motor, the PEM fuel cell modules, and the "Nautos" automation system. The order volume is about EUR 21 million. Handover of the submarine to the Hellenic Navy is scheduled for 2009. In 2001, Siemens had already received an order to equip three vessels of the same type. Like the previous three vessels, the new submarine will have a Siemens Permasyn type electric propulsion drive. These DC-powered permanent-magnet excited synchronous motors are characterized by an extremely low signature…

Having built over 200 aluminum RHIB's, Silver Ships, Inc. / AMBAR Marine, has grabbed a foothold in the design and construction of aluminum RHIB's - all of which are constructed in accordance with SOLAS regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard operates 90 AMBAR Marine Non-Standard RHIB's and the U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command operates 40 AMBAR Marine Special Service RHIB's. Silver Ships, Inc./AMBAR Marine constructs approximately 43 vessels per year, 80 percent of which are RHIB's while the remaining 20% have been Patrol/Security boats, and various work boats ranging from 23-48 ft. (7-14.6 m). Upon discovery, in 1966 following extensive R&D, Lanness McKee, Sr. uncovered the secret to the most rugged, unsinkable marine construction in the market.

MarineSafety International provided training to eight Greek Naval Officers in connection with Foreign Military Sale (FMS) transfer of two US Navy MHC-1, Osprey Class Minehunters. The eight officers spent three days using MSI Norfolk’s simulator learning how to handle these unique ships. The Osprey Class MHCs are powered by Voith Schneider cycloidal drive units. The cycloidal drive gives these ships exceptional maneuverability, but operations in close quarters requires new vocabulary and new ship handling skills. Over the course of three days the crews practiced docking, undocking, and restricted waters transits in increasing ranges of environmental challenges. By the end of the training the Captains and crews of both ships felt confident that they could master the challenge.