Negotiations between US-based Lockheed Martin and the Greek Navy will continue, as the defense company has modified its proposal to secure a place in the country’s naval modernization.
Lockheed and the US Navy submitted a bid in a Greek Navy competition for a new frigate — the Hellenic Future Frigate — in December in a letter that expired on March 17.
The original US proposal included a mid-life upgrade for four Hydra-class frigates to extend their service life by 15 years and the sale of four Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) vessels, derived from the US Navy’s Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship.
However, Greece signed a procurement deal for three French FDI HN frigates from France in addition to equipment and follow-on support. It is also likely to procure an additional frigate and four corvettes in the future.
Lockheed Martin Vice President Joe DePietro said his company would pitch the Greece Navy on new ships to round out the proposal.
The company’s revised proposal includes the upgraded Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship with upgrades to make it more lethal and survivable or the larger MMSC built for Saudi Arabia.
Greece has now extended the Letter of Agreement until September 18, giving the American team more time to negotiate with Greek officials and decide whether the deal will go forward.
Greek Modernization Program
The Greek Navy’s modernization plan had initially included procurement of four frigates and modernizing the capabilities of its existing four Hydra-class MEKO 200 frigates.
In February, the Greek government approved the country’s largest naval modernization in two decades. The country will spend 2.26 billion euros ($2.53 billion) in procuring vessels.
Tensions With Turkey
Tensions have increased between Greece and Turkey in recent years over territorial waters and sovereign rights to undersea mining.
In 2021, Turkish ships and fighter jets carried out more than 2,000 violations of Greek territorial water and over 2,500 violations of its airspace.
