The Hellenic Navy executed a missile exercise, launching nine missiles of five different types, encompassing all ship-launched guided missiles in its inventory. This exercise, featuring Harpoon and Exocet Block II missiles, aimed to demonstrate and enhance the Greek Navy’s readiness and capabilities.
The exercise marked a notable milestone with the use of HARPOON anti-ship missiles for the first time in 25 years. The last instance of Harpoon missile usage by the Greek Navy was in the autumn of 1999 during the NATO exercise BRIGHT STAR in the Eastern Mediterranean. This recent exercise, initially planned years ago but postponed multiple times, signifies the Greek Navy’s determination to showcase its operational strength despite longstanding challenges.
NATO IS RAMPING UP….
Greek Navy Flexes Muscle With Successful Large-Scale Missile Exercise
Greece’s Navy finally dusts off its Harpoon missiles after a 25-year hiatus, flexing its maritime muscles amid regional tensions. With shiny new frigates and upgrades, they’re all set… pic.twitter.com/uYDAwzwF9M
— Gianni POV (@giannipov) July 9, 2024
A total of thirteen ships participated in the exercise in the Ionian Sea, including four Elli-class frigates (Elli, Limnos, Kountouriotis, and Navarinon), two Hydra-class frigates (Hydra and Spetsai), four Roussen-class fast attack missile craft (Vlahakos, Karathanasis, Ritsos, and Daniolos), a Machitis-class patrol vessel, and two general support ships. The Prometheus, known for its versatile roles including launching aerial target drones, was likely one of the support ships involved. The exercise also saw participation from helicopters (S-70 and the newly acquired MH-60R) and aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force.
The Harpoon missiles, featuring 220-kilogram high-explosive warheads, are designed for sea-skimming flight and can target at a speed of 0.7 Mach over a range of 80 nautical miles. Their deployment in this exercise underscores the Navy’s focus on enhancing its anti-ship capabilities. The Exocet Block II missiles, with a range of approximately 70 kilometers and a 165-kilogram warhead, were also launched, demonstrating their low-altitude, sea-skimming attack capability.
Several missile systems were tested during the exercise, including the RGM-84 HARPOON SSM, NSSM (RIM-7P2) SAM, and ESSM (RIM-162 Block 1) SAM from the Spetsai’s Mk-48 Mod 5 VLS. The Roussen-class FACM launched EXOCET MM40 Block 2 SSM and RIM-116 RAM SAM. The exercise involved sinking two designated targets: a former S148-class missile boat (Pezopoulos) and an Asheville-class patrol vessel (Ormi).
The exercise’s success is a testament to the Hellenic Navy’s ongoing modernization efforts. The Navy’s operational significance is rooted in Greece’s strategic geopolitical position in the Eastern Mediterranean, a crucial junction for international trade routes and energy corridors. The region’s instability, including conflicts in the Middle East and tensions with Turkey, necessitates a robust naval force to safeguard Greece’s interests.
Greece is investing significantly in its naval forces, including the acquisition of advanced FDI frigates and the modernization of existing Hydra-class and MEKO 200 frigates. This exercise, part of the annual operational training program of the Fleet Headquarters units, aimed to evaluate and enhance the combat capability and operational readiness of the participants.
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