Hellenic Navy frigate Ψαρά returns to Greece after mission in the Red Sea

The Hellenic Navy frigate (F-454) “Ψαρά” arrived at the Salamis naval base near Athens on Sunday, completing its participation in the EUNAVFOR European Operation “ASPIDES” in the Red Sea.

According to the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Katharas boarded the frigate after its arrival, accompanied by the fleet commander, Vice Admiral Polychronis Koulouris. He greeted the captain and crew, congratulating them on the successful completion of the mission. The frigate (F-453) is expected to “SPETSAI” will sail to the Red Sea in September to join the European EUNAVFOR operation “ASPIDES” (shields).

Since June 19, the captain and crew of the frigate “Ψαρά” have repeatedly become the main protagonists of events during the escort of merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Dozens of merchant ships and oil tankers were escorted by a frigate of the Greek fleet, which protected them from any threat.

Centaur and the Kamikaze Drone

The first “signs of defeat” appeared on the Greek frigate on July 7, when it shot down Yemeni Houthi drones (UAVs) with a double strike. It was then that the Centaurs (“Κένταυροι”) anti-drone defense system, developed by the Scientific and Technical Department of the Hellenic Aviation Industry and installed on the frigate Psara, just above the ship's bridge, became widely known. According to the Minister of Defense, more Centaurs will be built for installation on four MEKO frigates, for which it has been decided to modernize some of the systems.

However, the frigate Psara was not only in the Gulf of Aden. Despite its older systems compared to other units of Operation Shield, it also entered the difficult areas of the Red Sea. Near the so-called “Gate of Tears”, where the proximity to the Yemeni coast sharply increased the risk, the experienced crew of “Ψαρά” carried out any tasks that the commander of the European operation at sea assigned to it.

EU tows the vessel Sounion

Frigate “Pearl” was also located near the tanker “Sounion”owned by a Greek shipping company, which was hit by the Houthis. When the captain and the company requested assistance from “Pearl”the Greek warship hurried towards it. And while towing the burning “Sounion”which lasted almost a month, Frigate “Pearl” was walking next to the tanker.

A few days later the frigate “ΣΠΕΤΣΑΙ» will depart from the Salamis naval base in Red Sea. First, work on the ship and on-board testing of the Centaur drone defense system will be completed, which will be removed from “Pearl” and set to “ΣΠΕΤΣΑΙ” The wiring work for receiving the unmanned system has already been completed, only the transfer is awaited. And then the Greek detachment will set off for three months on this complex and unprecedented mission for the crews of Greek surface ships.

First mission performed in the hot zone frigate Hydraand the second mission of the frigate “Ψαρά” was based on this experience and conclusions.

The lessons learned on the Yemen front are numerous for the crews of the Navy's main strike units, which are considered among the most experienced and trained at the Alliance level.

Source link