Hellenic Navy press release – translation by Naval News
An organic helicopter, as well as a specially trained team to carry out VBSS operations have also deployed with the frigate.
The Hydra Frigate will remain for a short time at the Crete Naval Station for preparation at the Naval Prevention Training Center (KENAP), and will then join the “IRINI” operation at the end of May 2020.
About Operation IRINI
EUNAVFOR MED IRINI started its operation at sea with the French frigate Jean Bart and a maritime patrol aircraft contributed by Luxembourg on May 4, 2020. Germany just announced its participation with a P3C-Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
Seven countries are actively participating to the operation: Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Poland, Malta and Luxembourg.
IRINI, (Greek for “peace”), has as its core task the implementation of the UN arms embargo through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets. In particular the mission will be able to carry out inspections of vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya suspected to be carrying arms or related material to and from Libya in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2292 (2016).
About Hydra-class frigates
The Hydra-class are a group of four frigates in service within the Hellenic Navy. The first of the series was commissioned in 1992 and the last one in 1998. They are based on the MEKO 200 frigate design from Germany. The Hellenic Navy is about to start upgrading these frigates. The allocated budget is 150 million €. According to Greek defense magazine “PTISI” the upgrade will include 12 basic subsystems of the ship including a new CMS, a new 3D radar, a new navigation radar, new communication systems, new ESM, Link-16 tactical data link network and the installation of a new Laser warning system.
Hydra-class frigates are 117.5 meters long with a displacement of 3,360 tons. They embark a crew of 173 sailors. They are able to carry one Sikorsky S-70B-6 Aegean Hawk helicopter.
Main specifications:
- Length: 117.5m
- Beam: 14.8m
- Draught: 6m
- Propulsion: 2 gas turbines; 2 diesel engines; 2 shaft CODOG
- Speed: 31 knots (gas turbines) 21 knots (diesel only)
- Range: 4.100 nautical miles at 18 knots
- Weapons: 1 Mk 45 Mod 2A 5″ gun; 2 Mk15 Phalanx 20 mm CIWS; 2 Mk141 2×2 Harpoon missile launchers; Mk 48 Mod 2 vertical launcher for 16× RIM-162 ESSM; 2 Mk32 Mod 5 2×324mm T/T for Mk46 torpedoes
