Lockheed Martin has revealed details of its proposed multi-mission surface combatant warships for the naval forces of Greece.
The country is considering adding four combat ships to its arsenal and upgrading its existing Hydra-class frigates. However, it has yet to choose a defense firm for the contract.
“Very high on their priority list is the modernization of their navy. They’re currently operating four MEKO-class frigates and various other patrol craft that are working pretty hard. It’s pretty busy in the Eastern Mediterranean right now,” Lockheed Martin official Tom Rowden told USNI News.
The American defense and technology company plans to build the initial frigate in Italy. Its proposed 4,000-ton warship will be built around the same propulsion system used on the Freedom and on Saudi frigates.
The firm plans to include a Lockheed-derived fix to the gear that links the gas turbines and diesel. “That fix is being tested right now and it will be backfilled obviously on the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships and forward-fit on these,” Rowden said.
Greece Frigate Competition
In 2019, the government of Greece signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the procurement of Belharra/first defense and intervention (FDI) frigates for its naval forces. However, it decided to keep its options open and is now considering several designs.
Aside from Lockheed Martin, Dutch shipbuilder Damen and British shipbuilder Babcock are proposing versions of combat warships to the Greek Navy. German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri are also participating in the contest.
In March, a French consortium of three major defense companies (Naval Group, Thales, and MBDA) submitted a strategic package offer, as well. The package includes a MEKO modernization program, a stop-gap solution, and four FDI next generation frigates.
Spanish state-owned shipbuilding firm Navantia is also proposing four new vessels based on the F110-class multi-mission frigate design. They will be built in the company’s Ferrol shipyard in Spain.
“Navantia has a broad experience in the transfer of technology and capabilities building with partner countries,” Navantia Vice President Javier Herrador remarked. “Our track record in this field and our willingness to partner with the Greek industry add significant value to our proposal.”