The Elli-class frigates are a series of frigates operated by the Hellenic Navy. The ships are of Dutch origin and are also known as Kortenaer-class or Standard-class or S-class frigates. The first two ships (Elli and Limnos), which have lengthened hangars and different armament were built specifically for the Hellenic Navy. The remaining ships are ex-Royal Netherlands Navy S-frigates of the Kortenaer class transferred to the Hellenic Navy in the 1990s and early 2000s. These robust and reliable ships constitute the backbone of the Hellenic Navy. Elli, for which the class is named, is itself named after two famous Greek cruisers, one of which was sunk during peacetime before the Greco-Italian War.

HS Kanaris (ex HNLMS Jan Van Brakel)
Class overview
Operators Hellenic Navy
Completed10
Active9
Retired1
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement
  • 3,500 tons standard
  • 3,800 tons max
Length130 m (430 ft)
Beam14.5 m (48 ft)
Draft4.4 m (14 ft 5 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 20 knots (37 km/h) cruising
  • 30 knots (56 km/h) maximum
Range4,700 nmi (8,700 km) at 16 knots (30 km/h)
Complement185-220 Officers and Petty Officers (depending on each ship)
Armament
Aircraft carried1-2 helicopters (1 SH-70B or 2 AB-212)

Mid-life modernization project edit

There was a mid life modernization programme for six of the ten Greek ships which started in 2004 and was completed in 2009. The program was performed at Hellenic Shipyards and the upgraded frigates were the following: Kountouriotis (F-462), Adrias (F-459), Navarinon (F-461), Limnos (F-451), Elli (F-450), and Aegaeon (F-460).

The main modernization work included the following:

  • Replacement of the combat management system with the Thales TACTICOS
  • Installation of new sensors, like the Thales Mirador electro-optical target tracker
  • Installation of Thales Scout MkII LPI navigation radar
  • Overhaul and improvement of radars (WM25 and LW08 long range air-search radar)
  • Installation of EDO (now part of Harris Corporation) CS-3701 ESM system[1]
  • Replacement of navigation systems and upgrade of communications systems
  • Replacement of propulsion control system and of defined platform systems.

Bouboulina (F-463) was decommissioned on 18 February 2013. It will be used as a source for spare parts.

Incidents at sea edit

On 2 November 2017 Kanaris ran aground near the islet Atalanti, southwest of Psyttaleia in the Saronic Gulf, on the way back to the Salamis Naval Base.[2] There were no personnel injuries and no fuel leaks but there was serious hull damage which according to news reports affected the SONAR shell. After 8 months of absence for repairs the ship was again operational in July 2018 using the SONAR and dome from decommissioned Bouboulina (F-463).[3]

Ships edit

Ship[4] Namesake Commissioning date into the Royal Netherlands Navy Commissioning into the Hellenic Navy Status
Aigaion (F-460) Φ/Γ Αιγαίον Aegean Sea 29 October 1980 1993 In service
Adrias (F-459) Φ/Γ Αδρίας Adriatic Sea 26 July 1979 1994 In service
Bouboulina (F-463) Φ/Γ Μπουμπουλίνα Laskarina Bouboulina 1 October 1983 14 December 2001 Decommissioned (18 February 2013)
Elli (F-450) Φ/Γ Έλλη Naval Battle of Elli 1981 In service
Kanaris (F-464) Φ/Γ Κανάρης Konstantinos Kanaris 14 April 1983 29 November 2002 In service
Kountouriotis (F-462) Φ/Γ Κουντουριώτης Pavlos Kountouriotis 26 October 1978 1997 In service
Limnos (F-451) Φ/Γ Λήμνος Naval Battle of Lemnos 1982 In service
Navarinon (F-461) Φ/Γ Ναυαρίνον Battle of Navarino 24 April 1980 1995 In service
Nikiforos Fokas (F-466) Φ/Γ Νικηφόρος Φωκάς Nikephoros II 25 November 1982 2003 In service
Themistoklis (F-465) Φ/Γ Θεμιστοκλής - Themistocles 2 December 1981 2002 In service

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ EDO Corporation has been awarded a contract to supply six CS-3701 Electronic Support Measures systems for use on S-class frigates under the Hellenic navy’s mid-life modernization program, EDO Corp., issued Nov. 19, 2003
  2. ^ "Frigate 'Kanaris' stuck in shallow waters, article in Greek Observer (02/11/2017)". Archived from the original on 2018-07-08. Retrieved 2018-07-08.
  3. ^ Kanaris operational again, article in Greek Newspaper "Proto Thema" (05/07/2018) (in Greek)
  4. ^ Standard Class Frigates, hellenic Navy official website

External links edit