(Europa) Griechische Marine

[Quintus Fabius]

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/116228...ce-touted/

US frigate deal with Greece touted

Washington’s decision to back the US Navy frigate proposal submitted to the Hellenic Navy was reflected on Wednesday in statements made by senior US Embassy officials in Athens to Kathimerini.

The remarks are of particular importance given their timing, just 24 hours before the Hellenic Navy presents its assessment of the frigate proposals it has received from seven countries to the Defense Ministry and to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

A key element of the statements by the American officials is the clear indication that the US-backed proposal is the only one with the characteristics of an intergovernmental agreement.

According to this proposal, the first HFF-type (Hellenic Navy Future Frigate) will be built at the Italian shipyard of Fincantieri by Lockheed Martin.

The officials stressed that this is a platform that has also been chosen by Saudi Arabia for the modernization of its own navy.

Tellingly, the same officials insisted that “we are the only ones who offer a real boat. Everything else is on paper.”

Regarding the issue of an interim solution until the HFF-type is delivered, they stressed that there is a list of options through the EDA (Excess Defense Articles) of the US Armed Forces, noting that Greece has a long history of accepting surplus material from the US.

The official emphasized that the US sees Greece as a pillar of stability in the region and is therefore committed to deepening defense cooperation, while adding that the relationship in the field of security is not limited to military equipment.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/06/10/gr...s-frigate/

Greece Short-lists at least 6 Offers for Navy Frigate Program

On June 5, a meeting chaired by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the procedures for evaluating proposals for the acquisition of new frigates revealed that the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia and its offer had not been selected.

Spain’s F110 Frigate is not among them.

According to the Greek Ministry of Defense, during the meeting, a proposal to further examine the evaluation capabilities for the acquisition of frigates from the following countries was accepted: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Through this declaration, it is possible to notice that Spain is absent from the selected offers. No announcements were made to explain the refusal of Navantia’s bid.

The Hellenic Navy requested a procurement of four new frigates, but the need was not limited to new-built frigates. Their need is so urgent that they require a “stop-gap” solution (consisting in the procurement of second-hand vessels or a lease of existing vessels) as well as an upgrade to the in-service Hydra-class frigates.

The Navantia proposal consisted of:

Four new F110 frigates,
An interim solution consisting of delivering two new Alfa 3000 light frigates in only 35 months,
the modernization of the Greek Navy’s Hydra class frigates.

Unlike some of its competitors, Navantia’s stop gap solution did not consist of second-hand ships but of new ships. The Spanish shipbuilder’s proposal was to provide two brand new 3,000-tonne light frigates with anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine capabilities.

It is understood that the designs still being considered today, are:

Lockheed Martin with the MMSC
Naval Group with the FDI/Belharra
Damen Sigma 11515
Babcock with the Type 31/Arrowhead
TKMS with the MEKO A200NG (or MEKO A300)
Fincantieri (allegedly with the FREMM)

There may be an additional American offer under consideration: A “mini Burke” design being pitched by local naval architect Gibbs & Cox.