Greece Christens Final Two Type 214 Submarines

Two New Navy Submarines Christened

(Source: Ekathimerini; published June 24, 2016)

Over 16 years after contract signature, the Hellenic Navy has formally accepted into service its final two Type 214 diesel-electric submarines, which bring the strength of its sub flotilla to 11 boats. (Hellenic Navy photo)

President Prokopis Pavlopoulos stands for the flag-raising and christening ceremony of Type 214 submarines Matrozos and Katsonis at the Skaramangas shipyard, west of Athens, Thursday.

The ceremony was also attended by the ministers of defense and shipping, Panos Kammenos and Theodoros Dritsas, respectively, as well as European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos.

The two submarines are already a part of the Hellenic Navy fleet and have participated in NATO exercises in the Mediterranean.

(ends)

Greece Accepts Final Type 214 Submarines Into Service (excerpt)

(Source: IHS Jane's Defence Weekly; posted June 27, 2016)

By Theodore L Valmas

ATHENS --- The Hellenic Navy officially inducted its final two Type 214HN diesel-electric attack submarines into service on 23 June. The flag-raising ceremony for HS Matrozos (S-122) and HS Katsonis (S-123) at the Skaramangas Shipyard in Athens finally concluded Greece's troubled Archimedes programme over 15 years after it begun.

HS Matrozos, whose keel was laid at Skaramangas Shipyards in March 2003, was launched in February 2015 and has been operational since March 2016. HS Katsonis , whose keel was laid in March 2004, is scheduled for sea acceptance trials and should be delivered to the fleet by the end of the year.

Greece signed a contract for the Archimedes programme in February 2000; initially for three Type 214HN submarines, later increased to four. The lead vessel, HS Papanikolis (S-120) was built by then HDW (now TKMS) at Kiel, Germany, and the other three were built at Skaramangas Shipyards.

The programme was marred by significant delays due to technical revisions; change of ownership of the shipyard, from the Greek State to Abu-Dhabi Mar/TKMS; and accusations of corruption. (end of excerpt)

Click here for the full story, on the JDW website.

-ends-

Let's block ads! (Why?)

from Defense Aerospace - Press releases http://ift.tt/28Yca5a
via Defense