Greek Navy Half-Way Through “S” Frigate Modernization / Delivery of Frigate “LIMNOS” - Program of Mid Life Modernization of Six “S” Class Frigates

Greek Navy Half-Way Through “S” Frigate Modernization / Delivery of Frigate “LIMNOS” - Program of Mid Life Modernization of Six “S” Class Frigates

(NSI News Source Info) SKARAMANGAS, Greece - January 29, 2009: On Wednesday January 28th, 2009, the “S” Class Frigate “LIMNOS” was delivered to the Hellenic Navy, during a ceremony that took place at the premises of Hellenic Shipyards S.A. in Skaramangas.

Rear Admiral I. Karaiskos H.N., Chief of Fleet, attended the ceremony. The ceremony also attended Mrs. Krinio Kanellopoulou, Member of the Parliament for the Constituency of Ileia and President of the Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs and Mr. Nerantzis Anastasios 3rd Vice President of the Parliament.

Elli-class vessels are a group of frigates operated by the Hellenic Navy. The ships are of Dutch origin. The first two ships (the Elli and the Limnos), which had lengthened hangars and different armament were built specifically for the Hellenic Navy. The remaining ships are ex-Royal Netherlands Navy S-frigates of the Kortenaer-class transferred to the Hellenic Navy in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Elli (F-450), for which the class is named, is itself named after two famous Greek cruisers, one of which was sunk during World War II. There is a midlife modernization programme for six of the ten Greek ships.The program is in progress at HSY and will be completed in 2009. The Kountouriotis (F-462) and the Adrias (F-459) have been modernized. The other four ships are the Navarinon (F-461), the Limnos (F-451), the Elli (F-450), and the Aegaeon (F-460).

The Frigate “LIMNOS” is the fourth of the six “S” Class frigates to be modernized for the Hellenic Navy. HS “LIMNOS”, underwent extensive and demanding sea trials following her modernization, having had all her systems successfully tested and is now ready to join again the Hellenic Navy.

The Hellenic Ministry of Defense awarded the “S” class Frigates contract to Hellenic Shipyards in 2003 and the foreseen end of this program is October 2009. The first frigate “KOUNTOURIOTIS” was delivered to the Hellenic Navy in September 2006.

The modernization scope of work is mainly the renewal of most of the sensors and weapon systems, the installation of a new tactical combat system, the modernization of the communication and navigation systems, the replacement of the propulsion, monitoring and control system (IPMS) and some other platform modernization works. These developments render the vessels particularly effective in meeting the specific operational needs of the Hellenic Navy and represent a significant and important step in the process of modernization that the Hellenic Navy is carrying out.

Two more frigates are being currently modernized at the premises of Hellenic Shipyards S.A., Frigate “ELLI” and Frigate “AEGEON”. Frigate “ELLI” is planned to be delivered to the Hellenic Navy within spring 2009.

With regard to the frigate delivery, Mr. Ioannis Manolemis, Member of the BoD, Naval Sales Director and Director of Naval Projects Management of Hellenic Shipyards S.A. stated: “Frigate Limnos along with all the other vessels that have been delivered to Hellenic Navy, consists an eloquent example of the excellent work that is performed by the experienced personnel of Hellenic Shipyards S.A. We are proud of the projects that we have completed as well as for the projects that are carried out by our company.”