The Hellenic Navy was the first navy outside of Germany to order a fuel cell driven submarine. In February 2000 Greece ordered threee new 214-class submarines from German owned Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH [HDW] under the ARCHIMEDES program and an overhaul for three older 209-class submarines from HDW under the NEPTUNE II program. Subsequently a further Type 214 boat was ordered in May 2002. Disagreements over perceived design flaws delayed delivery of all four subs.

Surface Combatants

Greece started bilateral talks with France to buy six FREMM frigates in 2009, in a potential deal is worth 2.5 billion euros ($3.45 billion). French warship manufacturer DCNS conceded in early 2010 that Greece's debt problems had dashed hopes of landing a contract to supply the Hellenic Navy with 6 FREMM frigates. "The debt crisis obviously complicates the picture," a DCNS official told Jane's on 22 February 2010. "Talks are still going on but we now see little chance of a positive outcome in the foreseeable future." Earlier in 2010 a senior DCNS official said that Greece was the strongest prospect for a sale worth an estimated EUR2.2 billion (USD2.9 billion), Deputy Defence Minister Panos Beglitis told Reuters on 10 February 2010 that Greece will go ahead with the purchase of the six FREMM frigates from France, despite its economic woes. "We will carry out the previous government's deal to purchase six Fremm frigates," Panos Beglitis said in a statement to Reuters.

Having been fourth largest arms importer in 2003–2007, Greece was 15th largest in 2008–12. Its volume of imports declined by 61 per cent between these two periods. As part of its own cost-saving exercises, Greece placed no new orders for major conventional weapons in 2012 and has delayed or cancelled a range of arms import plans, including the acquisition of 6 FREMM frigates from France and over 400 armored vehicles from Russia.

Prior to their retirement, the Adams - Kimon Class destroyers were the only ships in the Hellenic Navy with the ability to carry the SM-1 missile. This missile of course is a very powerful weapon system that provides added range to the anti-aircraft 'umbrella' around a fleet. On February 18, 2002 the Themistocles (D221) was decommissioned.

The Kortenaer - Elli Class entered service in 1981, only a year after it was ordered from Royal Schelde of Holland. Two ships of this class also served in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

The first Meko 200 HN - Ydra Class class frigate was built in Germany and entered service in 1992. The remaining three ships were built in Hellas. The four Hydra class frigates of the Hellenic Navy are 3,200t frigates of the MEKO200HN design. The first of the four, Hydra (F452) was built by Blohm and Voss in Hamburg and commissioned in 1992. Theother three were constructed at the Hellenic Shipyards at Skaramanga. HS Spetsai(F453) was commissioned in 1996, HS Psara (F454) in 1998 and HS Salamis (F455) in 1999. as of 2010 the Hellenic Navy General Staff planned to upgrade these frigates in order to keep them in service for another 10-15 years. The upgrade program will cover all four vessels ensuring that they can meet 21st century operational requirements and conduct ASW, AAW, ASUW, MARITIME SURVEILANCE and EW operations.

Raytheon, LMNE&SS Moorestown will upgrade 6 each (plus two optional) S-Class frigates. This entails upgrading or replacing electronics, weapons and electro-mechanical elements. Raytheon teamed with Intracom on the $200 Million program.

The Knox - Epirus Class frigates entered Hellenic Navy service in 1992, after a period of service with the United States Navy. All ships were initially acquired through a leasing agreement, to replace older ships in the ASW role. The Makedonia (F458) and Thraki (F457) have been decommissioned and act as reserves (D1). Epirus (F456) soon followed.

By 2005 the Hellenic Navy had delayed the program to acquire two corvettes, (one plus one). Elefsis Shipyards was responsible for building these ships, with the design and specifications of Vosper Shipyards, UK. Initially, the program was estimated at $500 million. It was expected that instead of corvettes, the MOD and the Greek Navy would finally redesign this warship to frigates. If this program was finalized the number of the ships built will increase to 10.

Patrol Craft

The Hellenic Fleet currently operates a large number of missile armed fast attack craft, totaling twenty (20) units: 5 Super Vita (Roussen-class) with additional 2 under construction; 4 Combattante IIIA (Laskos-class) recently submitted to mid-life upgrade; 5 Combattante IIIB (Kavaloudis-class) ; 6 Type S148; All of the craft, except for the seven of the Super Vita-class, will be withdrawn from active service within the next 10 years.

The Combattante IIIB, III, II and Type 148 were the first missile boats to enter service in the Hellenic Navy, as well as the first missile boats Hellas has ever constructed. All the ships of the three classes (II, III, IIIB) have both missile and torpedo capabilities, which give these ships the name 'Torpillopyraulakati'. The Antipliarchos Kostakos (P25) sank on Nov. 4 1996 when it was struck by the Samaina passanger ferry, killing 4. The ships of the Combattante II class were originally given different names. A few of the older Combattante II boats could be offered to Cyprus.

The HSY 56 - Pyrpolitis is of Hellenic design and construction, and has the abilities present, up to a few years ago, only in much larger ships. The number and weapon systems carried by these ships are planned to be increased, in an effort to provide greater flexibility to the Hellenic Navy. Additional vessels are currently on order with the Hellenic Shipyards.

The Armatolos craft were built in Hellas and delivered to the Navy in 1990. The design is based on the Osprey 55 model.

Ashville - Ormi ships were acquired from the United States Navy, there classified as missile patrol boats, in 1989. The ships had their gas turbine engines removed prior to delivery.

Thetis - Niki class ships are tasked with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) duties. Having originally served in the German Navy, they entered Hellenic service in the early 1990's.

The Kelefstis Stamou Patrol Boats are French-built. They were ordered by Cyprus, but delivered to the Hellenic Navy in 1975.

The NASTY - Andromeda former torpedo boats received new engines in 1988. The Hellenic Navy currently uses them as patrol boats.

Type 141 Jaguar - Esperos Torpedo Boats entered Hellenic Navy service in the 1970's. Although they still possess their lethal torpedoes, they serve today as patrol boats.

Mine Warfare

The Hunt class Mine Countermeasure Vessels entered Hellenic Navy service following some years of service in the Royal Navy. They were constructed by Vosper Thornycroft, and acquired as incentives for the purchase of FAC's from the same shipyard.

Adjutant vessels in Hellenic Navy service fall under two categories based on their configuration: Minesweepers and Minehunters. All minesweepers with the exception of Thalia (M210) have been withdrawn from service.

The ships of the MSC294 class were built by Peterson Builders in the 1960's. In the first half of the 1990's they acquired new engines from General Motors. The Egli (M246) has been decommissioned.

Amphiboius Warfare

The Jason class medium landing ships were designed and constructed in Hellas to replace aging ex-USN ships from World War II.

The Project 1232.2 Zubr (or Pomornik class) hovercraft were acquired by the Hellenic navy to facilitate the rapid deployment on troops and equipment throughout the Aegean. An additional 4 may be purchased.