by Lefteris Papadimas – ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece will start negotiations to buy a fourth Belharra frigate from France to strengthen its navy as it recovers from a decade-long debt crisis, the country’s defense minister said on Thursday.
Greece agreed in 2021 to get three new Belharra frigates for 3.0 billion euros ($3.34 billion), with an option for one more, as it aims to replace old units that have operated for more than 30 years in its navy.
“I am pleased to announce today Greece’s intention to start negotiations to acquire one more frigate, the fourth of the same type,” Nikos Dendias said at Lorian shipyards in France, without giving more details.
Dendias was speaking at a launch ceremony for the second French frigate. He added that three of the four Belharra will be able to carry “Scalp Naval” cruise missiles with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers (621.37 miles).
Also read: US Navy Frigate and Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Face Similar Design Challenges
Athens has drawn up a multi-billion, 10-year purchasing plan that includes acquiring up to 40 new F-35 fighter jets from the U.S. and also Rafale jets from France.
Its defense issues include its disagreement with NATO ally Turkey. The countries have long been at odds over issues including where their continental shelves start and end, energy resources, flights over the Aegean, and the ethnically partitioned island of Cyprus.
On Wednesday, officials told Reuters Greece planned to buy Switchblade drones from the United States, a type of weapon complement to the Spike anti-tank missiles Athens plans to send to its islands in the Aegean Sea.
“They will contribute to the creation of a rocket wall in the Aegean,” Dendias said.
Related Article: U.S. Navy ‘Botched’ Design Oversight of $22 Billion Frigate, GAO Report Finds
(Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; editing by Barbara Lewis)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024.
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
The nearly 50-year old USS Nimitz, the lead vessel of its class, departed from the Naval Air Station in San Diego for what is likely to be its final deployment....
Testing of counter-drone technology near Reagan Washington National Airport by the U.S. Secret Service and Navy earlier this month led to numerous flight crews receiving faulty alerts of potentially nearby aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration and a U.S. senator said on Thursday.
The U.S. Navy is expected to announce this week who will build its next-generation carrier-based stealth fighter - a program worth hundreds of billions over its lifetime and a key part of plans to confront China, people familiar with the decision said.
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
