Greece and Israel have signed a landmark defense agreement to co-develop the BlueWhale underwater autonomous system, boosting Greek manufacturing and expanding bilateral military ties.
Tag: Hellenic Navy
The signing of the technical-financial agreement took place on April 28, 2025. Greece’s decision to…
A 25-year-old Hellenic Navy lieutenant collapsed and died during a training session with the Underwater Demolition Command on Tuesday. Despite immediate medical intervention and transfer to Attiko Hospital, he was pronounced dead. Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.
Naval Group has proposed strengthening the Hellenic Navy by locally building three additional Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates in Greece, alongside the four already planned. The offer, aimed at deepening French-Greek naval ties, includes technology transfers to Greek partners like Skaramangas Shipyards and METKA, promising enhanced naval capabilities and industrial growth. This comes amid Greece’s talks with Italy for used FREMM frigates and doubts about the U.S. Constellation-class program.
The Hellenic Navy is monitoring a Turkish missile boat operating in international waters in the Aegean Sea, south of Tilos and heading towards Rhodes. This follows a meeting by Turkey’s disaster agency concerning seismic activity near Santorini and reports of Turkish interest in seismic research in the area. The Turkish vessel remains in international waters and has not approached Santorini.
Turkish Navy shadows Greek research vessel near Crete for the second time in ten days, raising concerns about maritime activities in the region.
Greece’s acquisition of Belharra frigates from France faces a nine-month delay, with the first delivery now expected in late 2025. Despite this, Greece anticipates operating three frigates by the end of 2026 and is currently negotiating the purchase of a fourth.
The Hellenic Navy has inaugurated four Island-class coastal patrol boats, highlighting Greece’s commitment to enhancing its naval capabilities in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. These refurbished vessels, acquired from surplus US Coast Guard inventory, replace older patrol boats and mark a significant advancement in the Greek naval fleet.
The Hellenic Navy frigate *Spetses* has returned to Salamis Naval Station after completing its mission in the EU’s operation “Aspides” (EUNAVFORASPIDES). Senior naval officials, including Vice Admiral Demetrios-Eleftherios Kataras, congratulated the crew on their successful contribution to international maritime security.
Saint Nicholas is honored as the patron saint of the Hellenic Navy, which forms a crucial part of the Hellenic Armed Forces with around 30,000 active personnel. Known as Nicholas the Wonderworker for his numerous miracles, Saint Nicholas was a Greek bishop in the Roman Empire during the late third century. He is also the patron saint of a variety of groups, including sailors, merchants, archers, children, and students.
Greece aims to build the strongest Armed Forces in its history by 2030, ensuring unparalleled security for its citizens, according to Defence Minister Nikos Dendias. Key measures include a comprehensive anti-missile defence dome, enhanced naval deterrence in the Aegean, and the deployment of the advanced ‘Kentavros’ anti-drone system on Greek frigates. These initiatives mark a significant modernisation of Greece’s military capabilities.
Greece has assumed naval command of the EU’s Operation ASPIDES, a joint EU-NATO mission in the Red Sea aimed at protecting commercial vessels amid rising security threats. The formal handover ceremony in Djibouti saw Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Dendias underscore the mission’s significance, highlighting Greece’s commitment to maritime security and international law. Captain Konstantinos Pitykakis of the Hellenic Navy accepted the command on behalf of Greece, taking the lead in ensuring safe passage in this strategic waterway.
Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias attended a key meeting in Venice on Monday with defense ministers from the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative (ADRION). The gathering, hosted at the Institute of Military and Naval Studies, focused on enhancing regional cooperation and improving naval interoperability to tackle shared security challenges in the region. Greece, holding the presidency of the initiative until May 2025, is leading efforts to bolster defense collaboration among Adriatic and Ionian nations.
Indian Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met with Chief of the Hellenic…
Indian Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) began a four-day official…
The Hellenic Navy frigate “Psarra” returned to its home base in Salamina, Greece, on Sunday after successfully completing its mission as part of the European Operation EUNAVFOR “Irini.” HNGS Chief Vice-Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras and Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Polychronis Koulouris were on hand to welcome the captain and crew home. The HN frigate “Spetsai” is slated to replace the “Psarra,” deploying to the Red Sea to join Operation “Irini” in September.
Greece will commence negotiations for a fourth Belharra-type frigate, expanding its naval capabilities alongside the launch of the ‘Nearchos.’ National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias outlined plans for upgrades to the Hellenic Navy and emphasized the importance of strengthening national defense in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Hellenic Navy is launching its second FDI HN frigate, the Nearchos, today at the Naval Group shipyards in Lorient, France. Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, General Dimitrios Houpis, and Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras will attend the ceremony. The Nearchos, part of the Kimon-class, boasts advanced technologies like the Panoramic Sensor Intelligence Module and Sea Fire radar.
Greece’s navy has extended its naval drills by two months to curb Russian oil transfers along its coastline. Originally scheduled to end soon, the exercises will now continue through November, reflecting the ongoing efforts to address risky ship-to-ship transfers that have shifted to various locations including the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and West Africa.
Nearly 18,000 adults and children paid a visit to 18 Greek lighthouses that were opened…