 The HS Ritsos (P71) fast attack craft during the induction ceremony. Picture: Hellenic MoD |
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The
Hellenic Navy has a fleet of four Super Vita-class vessels and "HS
Ritsos" is the fifth. Two more are currently built at the Elefsis
Shipyards SA. The contract for the procurement of the Fast Attack Crafts
was signed in 2000 and has gone through "rough seas" between
the company, the Greek Shipyards and the Hellenic MoD, regarding the terms
of the contracts, the offsets and the payments. On 11 December 2014, the Greek Parliament approved an amendment outlining the modifications of the contract, which resulted in BAE System's conclusion of its responsibilities. Under the new terms, the Hellenic Navy became the owner of FACs No.6 and No.7 (currently under construction), and acquired all the equipment and materiel necessary for the shipbuilding. Further to that, the HN became the owner of FAC No.5 (HS Ritsos), which was still under construction at that time. The contract modifications were necessary in order to bring the programme out of its three-year stalemate, whose impact was augmented by the shipyard's financial problems. Thus, the Hellenic Navy became the owner of vessel No.5, of the equipment and raw materials. Having had the ownership of the programme, it contracted the shipyard to conclude the construction of the vessels. The new vessels will fill in the gap created by the withdrawal from service of the Combattante II-class units. One of the existing Super Vita-class vessels took part at the UN operation in Lebanon in two separate periods in 2012 and 2013. After a long period of use, the Hellenic Navy has been satisfied with the capabilities of the vessels. They have a displacement of 580 tons and a crew of 45. Their propulsion from the 4 MTU 16V 595 TE 90 engines provides a maximum speed of 34.25 knots. Their firepower is notable. It is comprised of eight MM-40 Exocet missiles. The first four vessels had the Block 2, which would be upgraded to Block 3 version, while the newest one has already the latest version of the sea-skimming missiles. In addition to that, they have two Otobreda 30mm guns, one Otobreda 76mm/62 Super Rapido main gun and one CIWS RAM launcher. Despite the economic hardship, the Hellenic Navy is steadily expanding its capabilities. In 20 October 2014 the "HS Okeanos" (Ocean), an upgraded Type 209-1200 submarine, with an ISUS combat management system and an Air-Independent Propulsion system, was handed over to the fleet. About the same period, the "HS Pipinos", a Type 214 submarine, was put into the sea and started its trials. Until now everything has progressed positively and the submarine has concluded a series of fire-tests. A third Type 214 submarine is under construction at the Hellenic Shipyards S.A. (Skaramagkas Shipyards), along with the remaining two Super Vita-class FACs, at Elefsis Shipyards. Last April, the newly elected government decided to proceed with the upgrade of the Lockheed Martin P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The platforms had fulfilled their flight hours in 2008 and awaited for a decision on their future. The aircraft will undergo an upgrade of their systems and a renovation of their structural parts in the US, through a Foreign Military Sale. Greece is determined to maintain a strong Navy that will be able to fulfill its mission not only within its borders but also on a regional level, including Eastern Mediterranean. The Greek governments have maintained strong relations with key countries in the region, such as Israel, Egypt and Cyprus, which is part of the Greek defence doctrine's planning. Under this framework, a strong naval presence will be an integral part of the overall security policy. |
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Hellenic Navy Inducts New Super Vita-class Fast Attack Craft Missile - FACM in its Fleet
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