In June, the GEN’s suggestion for the corvettes – The “elite” for the upgrade of the MEKO HYDRA class frigates is also announced – TPK VLACHAKOS will be ready at the end of 2022 – ROMEO helicopters are coming in 2023 and 21 submarines PAPANIKOLIS, but also the Aegean Hawk helicopters
Really, is it possible that they are not irritated in Turkey by the images they see in Greece? Is it possible not to cause concern to the Turkish regime by seeing the first Greek F-16 Vipers make their first flights in the Greek sky? Is it possible that they are not worried when they see the first Greek frigate Belh @ rra take on “flesh and bones”? Is it possible that they are not frightened to see that the armament reinforcement of our country is “running” and at the same time the Armed Forces are in an excellent operational situation, while they are begging for even the smallest spare part?
We fully understand them; however, we do not in any way justify their attitude, their panic moves, their threats and their vulgar rhetoric. Let them be cool because the “sweets” from Greece are not over and in the coming days there will be announcements that will upset them even more.
After the statements for our country to enter the F-35 program, the construction images of the first Greek Belh @ rra and the video with the first F-16 Vipers in the Greek sky, our country is preparing to announce the next period and the decision for the acquisition of corvettes, with the discussions already at a very advanced level.
The “naval battle” on Mesogeion Avenue is in its final stage, with the suitors having almost completely opened their papers and with the GEN now waiting for small improvements in the proposals that have been submitted. The Commander-in-Chief of the General Staff, Rear Admiral Stylianos Petrakis, examines in detail all the candidate ships, which should be emphasized that they largely cover the requirements of the Navy, except for one that of course does not seem to even concern the General Staff.
We remind you that in the office of the Chief of General Staff there are currently 3 + 1 proposals. The French Gowind of the Naval Group, a company that already manufactures the frigates Belh @ rra, the Italian Doha of the company Fincantieri, but also the Dutch Sigma 10514 of Damen. The British have also submitted a proposal with the Arrowhead frigates, which, however, does not seem to be of interest to the Navy.
Although the background is intense, with many actors trying to get involved in the equation of acquiring corvettes, the General Staff of the Navy clearly states that their own suggestion to the political leadership will have as a sole criterion the operational needs of the Navy. “The only thing we look at is the needs of the Fleet and based on this we will choose the ship that will best serve our requirements. “The rest are issues of secondary importance for the Navy”, sources of the Greek “Pentagon” clarify meaningfully.
In this light, the French with Naval Group’s Gowinds clearly remain the big favorites, with experienced Navy officials pointing out how important uniformity between surface units is for a Fleet, but also how much maintenance is given in terms of maintenance the same know-how, the same workshops, the same repair infrastructure and the same supply chain that will be used for the Beh @ rra frigates.
As for where the Greek corvettes will be manufactured. Athens has set a condition for them to be manufactured in Greece, however, the situation in the Greek shipyards is foggy at the moment. Therefore, one solution would be to agree on the construction of the first ship abroad and the rest in Greece (s.s. the Skaramaga shipyards are projected as the ideal solution) so as not to waste valuable time.
According to information, the Navy’s suggestion to the political leadership will be made by the end of June, with Mr. Nikos Panagiotopoulos immediately informing the Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis to proceed with the final decision. After all, the political and military leadership are well aware that there is no time to lose, while they are waiting for other armaments or modernization programs that must proceed quickly. We point out that by the end of the year the Navy will receive the 7th Super Vita missile named VLACHAKOS, in honor of the hero of Imia, Panagiotis Vlachakos.
Finally, we remind you that in the first months of 2023, the state-of-the-art American multi-role helicopters, MH-60R – Romeo, are expected in our country, with the General Staff wanting to run the procedures for the modernization of the always reliable Aegean Hawk helicopters, but also submarines 214 class PAPANIKOLIS.
