The Naval Council presented a report on the purchase of frigates for the Navy

On Saturday, Greece’s Supreme Naval Council will present its operational assessment of the frigates that have been proposed to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis by seven different countries.

The Council discussed the proposals in detail at a multi-hour meeting on Thursday and also briefed Defense Minister Nikos Panagioptopoulos.

Their assessment concerns directly the frigates themselves, and not other factors such as shipyards, ships proposed as an interim solution, and the possibility of an intergovernmental agreement (G – G).

It is assumed that at least the first of all proposed frigates will be built outside Greece. Athens wants the deal to include the co-production of frigates directly in Greece.

The table shows proposals from the USA (HFF, as the Greek version of the MMSC was renamed), France (FDI), the Netherlands (S 11515), the United Kingdom (Arrowhead 140), Italy (FREMM / Bergamini), Spain (F-110) and Germany ( A300).

According to available data, the choice of new frigates and an intermediate solution by two different countries should not be ruled out. Moreover, given the Greek Navy’s concerns about the future of the fleet after 2030, any agreement reached is expected to include the supply of other ships at the end of the decade.

Tellingly, Athens was visited by representatives of companies interested in participating in the program for the production of Greek frigates. According to a related press release, David Lockwood, CEO of Babcock (UK proposal), was in Athens on Friday.

Lockwood said that, among other things, his company’s offer to the Greek Navy provides European know-how and experience from leading European companies. He stressed that partners of his company Thales will be responsible for the combat control system of the frigate Arrowhead 140, and will also participate in the modernization of the MEKO 200 to ensure the smooth operation of the Arrowhead 140 systems already in Greece.

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