The “corvettes file” although it passed through the GEN almost a month ago to Kyriakos Mitsotakis, essentially remains open.
The developments in the Elefsina shipyards consolidation plan launched by the government are one of the key parameters of the equation which concerns the Navy’s large corvette program. Positive results in the government’s plan for sustainable shipyards are expected to further strengthen the Italian proposal of Fincantieri which offers the Fleet the mighty Doha with the next few weeks until the beginning of September considered decisive for the final outcome of the case.
At the same time it seems that the French of the Naval Group, who in the naval battle for the corvettes are moving quietly out of sonar range, are waiting for developments, holding in their hands a powerful hidden ace which they will throw on the table in a last ditch effort to win the game with Gowind especially if they perceive that the advantage goes to the Italians of Fincantieri. With the Dutch of Damen still in contention, although as everything seems to be gathering little chances that Sigma 10514 will be the corvette of choice for Greece
Awaiting the developments for the Elefsina shipyards and while the discussions especially of the French with the Skaramangas shipyards and the shipowner Giorgos Prokopiou are at a very advanced level, the three “suitors” remain on an open line with the Naval Staff and the General Directorate of Defense Equipment and Investments. The issue of cost with the maximum possible configuration of each ship is at the heart of the consultations. Although the three companies have formally submitted their final proposals, which are already in the hands of the Prime Minister, they make sure to leave open the possibility for improvement mainly in the financial data and the repayment schedule.
The “corvettes file” although it passed through the GEN almost a month ago to Kyriakos Mitsotakis, essentially remains open. The government is betting on the regeneration of the Elefsina Shipyards by separating them into defense and commercial sections. Where the first will undertake the construction of corvettes and other programs of the Navy, while the commercial one will operate in the free market and will be the part that will essentially make the Shipyard sustainable.
All parameters are expected to enter the scales of the Prime Minister as well as the political factor in order to make the final decision. The extremely difficult economic and not only current situation seems not to speed up the developments since in the midst of the energy crisis and other negative situations, the decisions for the corvettes seem to be getting a little extension. With the chances of the relevant announcements being made by Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Thessaloniki International Fair increasing.
Where the prime minister is accustomed every year to refer to armaments and the government’s continuous effort to strengthen the Armed Forces in the face of Turkish provocation and questioning even of Greek Sovereignty in the Aegean islands.
