The issue of modernization of the four MEKOs seems to remain a priority given the clearly lower cost, which the government wishes is not to exceed 500 million, if not around 300 million.
The “forward” in the Navy’s new corvette program by all indications appears to be being turned by the government into a “hold,” which according to Navy officials is tantamount to “reverse” given the age of the Major Surface Units and the suffocating time pressure.
And while at the beginning of the summer everything showed that we were on the final stretch for a final decision and agreement regarding four new Corvettes with the most likely announcement date at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition in September, the facts seem to have changed. And now the chances are extremely reduced to non-existent that there will be prime ministerial announcements at TIF about the Fleet corvette program.
A series of negative circumstances and developments concerning the worsening of the energy crisis resulting in pressure on the government for relief measures and in fact in view of elections in combination with criticism from a part of the opposition for the armament programs that are already “running” seem to be “going back’ the decisions. At the same time as the “hold” in the corvette program, there is already a delay in the modernization program of the four MEKO class frigates which, as it was decided, will precede.
The Naval Staff since the beginning of the summer has already submitted its final proposal-recommendation to the government for the corvette program by shortlisting three proposals. The Italian Fincantieri for Doha, which had a small advantage over the French Gowind of the NavalGroup, with the Dutch Damen third with Sigma, and in advance very small chances of victory. A similar final recommendation concerns the MEKO frigate modernization program with the German proposal of the KMS-ThalesNederlands joint venture and those of the French, American and British to complete the relevant file.
The question of the modernization of the four MEKOs seems to remain a priority given the clearly lower cost, which the government wishes is not to exceed 500 million, if not to range around 300 million. HYDRA” who are none other than the Executives and Staff of the Fleet still do not hide their concern about the program. And they focus on the fact that the real cost and the upgrade time which is a key parameter will only be clarified with certainty when the company that will take over will start the work and have a complete picture. The ‘High Risk’ designation in the program as highlighted gives the true picture. And this was the reason for the initial PN Staff proposal to modernize only two of the four MEKOs with the remaining two gradually transitioning to training roles. Thus, the modernization of MEKOs still remains a big “bet” for the Fleet even if it is announced immediately.
Among the positives of the last few weeks are the high pace of work by the French on the Belharra frigate program, but also the fact that by the end of 2022 the Navy will finally have received from the Elefsina shipyards the Missile Launcher “VLACHAKOS”.
