ELEFSIS, Greece: The Hellenic Navy has taken delivery of its fourth BAE Systems designed Fast Attack Craft at a ceremony at Elefsis Shipyard near Athens.
HS Grigoropoulos is the latest vessel in a class of seven 62 metre Fast Attack Craft being built by BAE Systems’ industry partner, Elefsis Shipyards, for the Hellenic Navy. Under a long-term technology transfer programme, BAE Systems is the design authority and major subcontractor to Elefsis Shipyards, responsible for the design and combat systems integration of the vessels. The company also provides on-site engineering support to Elefsis Shipyards and has invested in state of the art manufacturing facilities at its shipyard to boost industrial capability in Greece.
Alan Johnston, Managing Director at BAE Systems’ Surface Ships division, said: “This is a significant achievement in the programme, which reflects the hard work, commitment and fantastic partnership between BAE Systems and Elefsis Shipyards to deliver these highly capable ships to the Hellenic Navy.
“This approach to partnerships shows the strength that BAE Systems can bring to navies and industrial partners around the world as they look for cost-effective solutions to boost their capabilities to meet future naval requirements.”
HS Grigoropoulos has exceeded all of its specified performance criteria in a series of platform and weapons trials leading to acceptance by the Hellenic Navy.
The 62 metre Fast Attack Craft is designed as a high speed, multi-role platform that can operate in both anti-air and surface combat situations. Used by the Hellenic Navy as a high speed interception and offshore patrol craft, its extensive weapon fit on a compact hull delivers an economic solution to surveillance, intelligence gathering, patrol, interdiction and engagement of enemy forces.
In addition to BAE Systems’ engineers working alongside Elefsis Shipyards in Greece, the company’s project and engineering teams, based at its Portsmouth site in the UK, have provided valuable support to the programme since its inception in 2000, which have contributed to the successful delivery of the ships.
BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).
