The construction company Naval Group took a strong stand on the fact of the construction of the first ship of the FDI class and claimed that it can achieve even faster rates.
As the “time of crisis” approaches for the next post-frigate Navy armament program, that of the new corvettes, the “suitors” peak their efforts in order to place themselves as high as possible in the final evaluation that the Navy will make. Staff.
It is characteristic that during the visit of the Chief of General Staff, Rear Admiral Stylianos Petrakis, to the shipyards of Lorient, where the construction of the first Greek frigate FDI (Belharra) has already begun, the French focused their efforts to show it in as much detail as possible. their own proposal for the corvette program. And in this effort they brought as an example the speed of shipbuilding of frigates which admittedly so far seems to be impressive.
The construction company Naval Group took a strong stand on the fact that the first FDI class ship was being built and claimed that it could achieve even faster rates in “building” the Gowinds if the Navy finally chose them. Since this is a ship that already has to be built both in France and abroad at similar speeds as for example in Egypt. And to give a delivery schedule even less than two years from the moment of the agreement for the first of the four ships that will be built in Lorient. Scaramanga.
Essentially, what the French are proposing is that if they are selected for the corvette program by 2026 and if the deal with the shipyards in Greece is completed, the Navy can have three FDI (Belharra) frigates and four Gowind corvettes in its arsenal, ie in four years from now seven new mighty large Surface Units. Which together with the four upgraded MEKO will be the “backbone” of the Fleet in the coming years. And while the Ministry of Defense has the ability to activate the option for the 4th FDI (Belharra). of the Navy.
However, the French in this “naval battle” are expected to receive heavy “fire” from the other claimants with the information stating that according to the data so far, the Italian Fincantieri seems to be a particularly strong opponent with the proposal for the equally strong and greater than Gowind in Doha displacement. And with delivery of the first ship in 36 months from the time of the agreement. With the Italians betting in addition to the Scaramanga shipyards on the Elefsina shipyards and on the consolidation plan that the government is reportedly preparing. While in the “race” the Dutch Damen with the Sigma 10514 is always at a “breathing” distance.
All the proposals are expected to be finalized in the coming days, although for the “suitors” the issue of cooperation with the Greek shipyards seems to add “asterisks” mainly to the final cost but also to the delivery times.
