According to information published by Ekathimerini on April 8, 2023, the Arms Committee of the Greek Parliament has approved the mid-life upgrade program for the Hellenic Navy’s four MEKO frigates.
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Hellenic Navy's Hydra class frigate Spetsai. (Picture source: US Navy)
The Hydra-class frigate is a type of warship that displaces 3,360 tons in standard conditions and 4,000 tons when fully loaded. It is 117.5 meters (385 ft 6 in) long, 14.8 meters (48 ft 7 in) wide, and has a draught of 6.0 meters (19 ft 8 in).
The frigate is powered by two shaft CODOG propulsion systems, comprising two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, with a total output of 60,656 horsepower (45,231 kW), and two MTU 20V 956 diesel engines that generate 10,040 horsepower (7,490 kW).
It has a maximum speed of 31 knots (57 km/h; 36 mph) when using its gas turbine, and 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) when using diesel only. The frigate has a range of 4,100 nautical miles (7,600 km; 4,700 mi) when travelling at a speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).
The Hydra-class frigate can accommodate a crew of 173, comprising 22 officers and 151 enlisted personnel. It is equipped with various sensors and processing systems, including a Signaal MW08 air search radar, a Signaal DA08 air surface radar, two Signaal STIR fire control radars, a Racal Decca 2690 BT navigation radar, a Raytheon SQS-56/DE 1160 hull-mounted and VDS sonar, an SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoy, an Mk XII Mod 4 IFF radar, two Signaal Mk 73 Mod 1 radars for ESSM, and a Signaal STACOS Mod 2 combat data system.
The frigate is also equipped with an Argo AR 700 ESM system, a Telegon 10 ESM system, an Argo APECS II ECM system, and four SCLAR decoy launchers for electronic warfare and decoys.
The Hydra-class frigate is armed with one Mk 45 Mod 2A 5" gun, two Mk15 Phalanx 20 mm CIWS, two Mk141 2×4 Harpoon missile launchers, a Mk 48 Mod 2 vertical launcher for 32× RIM-162 ESSM, and two Mk32 Mod 5 2×324mm T/T for Mk46 torpedoes. It also has a hangar for one Sikorsky S-70B-6 Aegean Hawk helicopter.
