• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Ydra [Hydra] Frigates Class Meko-200HN

The decision to buy four Meko 200 Mod 3HN was announced on 18 April 1988. West German Government 'offset' of tanks and aircraft went with the sale, and the electronics and some of the weapon systems secured through US FMS credits. The first ship ordered 10 February 1989 built by Blohm + Voss, Hamburg and the remainder ordered 10 May 1989 at Hellenic Shipyards, Skaramanga. The program was delayed by financial problems at Hellenic Shipyards in 1992 and some of the prefabrication was done in Hamburg.

During a Greek parliamentary session on May 2, 2020, the special standing committee on armament programs and contracts validated several programs for the Hellenic Navy. One program that received authorization was the long awaited modernisation of the four MEKO 200HN frigates with an allocated budget of 160 million euros. The overall cost of the program will be higher as a series of additional engineering and maintenance works will be funded by a separate account.

The final configuration of the frigates will depend on the cost of each proposal, but the Hellenic Navy is prioritizing the upgrade and integration of a series of systems. According to the Greek magazine Ptisi these include, among others, the combat management system, the radar with a new 3D one, the navigation radar, the intercom system, the integration of a laser warning system, of two RWS with 20 or 30 mm guns and of a Link 16 with the ability to upgrade it at Link 22. It was not immediately clear whether the Hellenic Navy plans to award individual contract for each systems or if a prime contractor will be selected.

On 10 December 2021 the US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Greece of MEKO Class Frigate Modernization and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.5 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

The Government of Greece requested to buy equipment and services to repair, update, and enhance their four (4) existing Hellenic Navy (HN) MEKO Class frigates. These upgrades will include the following: eight (8) Close in Weapon Systems (CIWS) Phalanx BLK 1B Baseline 2 upgrade kits; four (4) MK 45, 5” 54 caliber gun overhauls; four (4) MK 49 Guided Missile Launcher Systems; four (4) COMBATSS-21 Combat Management Systems; and, four (4) AN/SQS-56 Sonar overhauls. Also included is the repair and/or upgrade of existing systems; ordnance; testing; training; systems integration; follow-on technical support; acquisition, upgrades, and overhaul of Narwhal 20A Gun System; Sylena MK 2 Decoy Launching System with CANTO torpedo countermeasure; Radar/Fire Control TRS-4D; Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5; NIXIE SLQ-25 Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System; Helicopter Handling System (Repairs); Defense Advance GPS Receiver (DAGR); Gun Computer System (GCS); Low Frequency Active Towed Sonar (LFATS); Compact Low Frequency Active Passive Variable Depth Sonar-2 (CAPTAS-2); Infrared Search & Track System (IRST); Elta Electronic Warfare (EW), with C-ESM, R-ESM, and ECM capability; Naval Laser- Warning System (NLWS); and 7 meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB).

The sale also included SQQ-89 ASW System; Fire Control Radar System; Improved Point Detection System-Lifecycle Replacement (IPDS-LR); Enhanced Maritime Biological Detection (EMBD), as well as significant Hull, Mechanical and Electrical upgrades, replacements, and repairs; support and test equipment; spare and repair parts; communications equipment, including Link 16 communications equipment; Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System (BICES); AN/SRQ-4 Tactical Common Datalink (TCDL); Global Command and Control System-Joint (GCCS-J); Air Defense Systems Integrator (ADSI); cryptographic equipment including SY-150, SY-117G, and KYV-5M; software delivery and support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, systems integration, technical, and logistics support services; test and trials support; studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally, which is an important partner for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

The proposed sale will improve Greece’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing an effective combatant deterrent capability to protect maritime interests and infrastructure in support of its strategic location on NATO’s southern flank. This acquisition, which will be awarded to the winner of an international competition for the Hellenic Navy (HN) MEKO Class Frigate Upgrade, will enhance stability and maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean region and contribute to security and strategic objectives of NATO and the United States. Greece contributes to NATO operations in Kosovo, as well as to counterterrorism and counter-piracy maritime efforts. Greece will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Waltham, MA; Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, MD; BAE Systems, Arlington, VA; and VSE Corporation, Alexandria, VA. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.

In order to extend the service life of the fleet, the Navy intends to commission a comprehensive modernization (mid-life upgrade). The original equipment manufacturers of the four MEKO® 200 HN frigates, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Thales, were approached for the modernization program. Thales and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems have now joined forces to form a consortium for the planned modernization program. The consortium agreement was signed by both partners on December 12, 2023.

As part of the consortium, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is to be responsible for modernizing the ship’s platform. As a system house, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will supply not only the design documents but also the communication systems. For this purpose, a subcontract is to be awarded to Hagenuk Marinekommunikation, a subsidiary of ATLAS ELEKTRONIK. Thales will in turn provide the combat system, with the combat management system TACTICOS as its foundation, for the MEKO® 200 HN frigates and assume the role of spokesperson in the partnership consortium based in Hengelo, the Netherlands.

Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: "With the joint contract for the modernization of the frigates, we are once again a strong partner for the Hellenic Navy. On the one hand, this further strengthens our order book and, on the other, underlines our role and strength as a maritime powerhouse that combines electronics, surface and underwater shipbuilding under one roof. A further milestone on our road to independence of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems."

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will subcontract the ship platform modifications to a local Greek shipyard. The consortium will be the exclusive contact for the Hellenic Navy. It is expected that the order will be received in 2024.

LVS NNbS Nah- und Nächstbereichsschutz

Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH of Bremen, Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG of Überlingen and Hensoldt Sensors GmbH of Taufkirchen are collaborating in a special partnership known as an “Arbeitsgemeinschaft”, or ARGE. Under the framework of ARGE NNbS, the three companies will submit a tender for the future German short-range and very short- range air defence system, the LVS NNbS. The Luftverteidigung durch das Luftverteidigungssystem Nah- und Nächstbereichsschutz (“Short-Range and Short-Range Air Defense”) or LVS NNbS program started in 2017. The program was designed for a long time - its first results were expected only in the mid-twenties. Within the framework of this program, it is planned to purchase existing models of weapons and equipment, as well as create new ones. To date, the Bundeswehr has placed several orders for the production and development of the products it needs. In 2021, the Bundeswehr and ARGE LVS NNbS announced that the “initial anti-aircraft potential” under the new program would be created using the IRIS-T SLM air defense system. Such complexes are already mass-produced and can be delivered to the customer within a reasonable time. In addition, they wanted to save on missiles: it was proposed to equip ground-based air defense systems with IRIS-T missiles, which are in service with the Air Force and have developed a resource for operation on aircraft. The contract for the supply of IRIS-T SLM was signed in June 2023. Diehl Defense and related companies will manufacture six such complexes with a total value of 900 million euros. Products will begin to enter service in 2024. In accordance with the contract, the LVS NNbS consortium will have to develop three models of equipment for military air defense of the near zone at once. These are the Flugabwehrraketenpanzer (FlaRakPz) self-propelled missile system, the Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Skyranger 30 artillery mount and the Feuerleitpanzer (FltPz) control vehicle. These machines will be made on a Boxer wheeled chassis, which will simplify their operation in parts of the Bundeswehr. Combat modules and other equipment of the required composition will be mounted on the chassis. It is planned to install a system of additional protection MUSS. All new vehicles will be integrated into the IBMS automated troop control system developed by Airbus and will receive Link 16 standard communications. For the FlaRakPz missile system, an original combat module is being developed in the form of a tower with weapons and electronic equipment. Such a module will receive a Hensoldt Spexer radar with six small-sized AFARs for viewing large sectors, an optoelectronic system and other devices. On the sides of the tower there are four containers for early modification IRIS-T missiles with a launch range of 15 km. For self-defense, the complex will receive a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher. The Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer ZSU is proposed to be equipped with the existing Skyranger 30 combat module from Rheinmetall Air Defense. It is an uninhabited turret with a 30mm Oerlikon KCE automatic cannon capable of firing conventional and programmable projectiles. The module is equipped with all the necessary radio and optical means. The possibility of supplementing the gun with several short-range missiles was mentioned. On 25 January 2024 - Germany’s military procurement agency, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), signed a development contract with the Short- and Very Short-Range Air Defence System Consortium (ARGE NNbS) for the “Air Defence System, Short- and Very Short-Range”, or LVS NNbS. Set up in 2021, ARGE NNbS has three member companies: Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH of Bremen, Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG of Überlingen, and Hensoldt Sensors GmbH of Taufkirchen. The contract is worth around €1.2 billion (including VAT), with Rheinmetall accounting for €607 million, Diehl for €339 million, and Hensoldt for €284 million, reflecting their respective workshares. Making sure that Germany lives up to its role as NATO’s lead nation in ground-based air defence and the European Sky Shield Initiative, the introduction of the LVS NNbS is a decisive step, closing one of the Bundeswehr’s significant capability gaps. The core objective of the LVS NNbS development project is to optimize medium-range air defence as well as developing high-mobility air defence capabilities for protecting manoeuvre forces from aerial threats – even when on the move. Key objectives include achieving the necessary networking of individual components; integration of the medium-range IRIS T-SLM guided missile; assuring interoperability; and extending the intercept zone to include short-range threats. Networking will enable connection to the IRIS T-SLM fire units currently under procurement as well as to the Skyranger 30 ground-based mobile air defence system, to be procured in future. The NNbS project bridges a current capability gap when it comes to protecting ground troops during deployed operations as well as securing tactical operation centres and other assets against short- and very short-range aerial threats. The three companies aim to provide a national, low-risk solution that will be quickly available thanks to the use of commercially available systems and system components. The conceptual system design of ARGE NNbS relies primarily on proven systems and subsystems, including integration of components already in use by the Bundeswehr. The NNbS partnership addresses a present capability gap regarding the protection of ground forces and tactical operations centres as well as other assets against short- and very short-range air threats. The three well-known corporations strive to deliver a national, low-risk solution that will be quickly available thanks to the integration of commercially available systems and system components. The conceptual system design of ARGE NNbS is mainly based on established systems and subsystems, which includes the use of components already in service with the German Bundeswehr. A further advantage of the NNbS cooperation is the broad logistical assistance in Germany for the short and very short range air defence system. Due to the complementary core expertises of the three companies Rheinmetall, Diehl Defence and HENSOLDT, the partnership has the necessary prerequisites, qualifications and expertise to meet all customer requirements. A further advantage of ARGE NNbS is comprehensive logistical support in Germany for the short-range and very short-range air defence system. Thanks to the complementary core competences of the three national bidders, the ARGE possesses the prerequisites, qualifications and expertise to meet all of the customer's needs. The project is in the hands of the German defence industry; ARGE NNbS is the German government’s contract partner. By bundling complementary core capabilities – including those of other German defence contractors – ARGE NNbS brings together the foundational knowledge, capabilities and expertise needed to meet the requirements. In the process, key technologies will stay in Germany, where they will be be preserved and perfected. Rheinmetall’s Electronic Solutions and Vehicle Systems divisions bring expert technological knowledge and years of experience in developing and supplying defence systems, especially in the fields of vehicles, communication and integration. Diehl Defence specializes in the development and manufacture of guided missiles. With its modern und combat proven systems for ground-based air defence it has established itself in the international marketplace. As a supplier of key national technologies, Hensoldt will be contributing its expertise as well as battle-tested products such as radars. The company is noted for its comprehensive product commonalities, including product family concepts, especially in the spheres of airspace surveillance and target classification and identification. The DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system achieved the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets during a trial at the MOD Hebrides Range 22 January 2024. The latest trial, delivered by Dstl and the DragonFire partners - MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ – builds on a series of highly successful trials, including the first static high-power laser firing of a sovereign UK capability and demonstration of the DragonFire system's ability to track moving air and sea targets with very high accuracy at long range. The UK DragonFire collaboration brings together the best of UK industry and leverages decades of weapon system manufacturing expertise to deliver enhanced layered air defence capabilities in the land and maritime domains. The DragonFire weapon system is the result of a £100 million joint investment by industry and the UK Ministry of Defence, and together the companies involved are supporting highly skilled UK jobs in new cutting-edge technologies that are delivering a significant step-change in the UK's capability in LDEW systems. Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said: "This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionise the battlespace by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition, while also lowering the risk of collateral damage.Investments with industry partners in advanced technologies like DragonFire are crucial in a highly contested world, helping us maintain the battle-winning edge and keep the nation safe." Chris Allam, Managing Director, MBDA UK, said: "Together, the DragonFire partners and Dstl are demonstrating exceptional UK capability in laser directed energy weapons. The DragonFire system has been successfully proven to date and we are now closer than ever to having a unique weapon that will enable frontline commands to meet the rapidly changing threats they face." Mark Hamilton, Managing Director Electronics UK, Leonardo said: "UK Dragonfire is a great example of how a partnership-based UK enterprise approach can be successfully applied to a major national research and technology challenge. Leonardo is drawing on decades of laser technology heritage at our Edinburgh site in our work on the project: Our beam director technology is delivering ultra-precise tracking/pointing accuracy and stability, at long range, and whilst handling such high-power laser energy passing through it. We’re pleased to have successfully tested the system against a representative aerial target at varying ranges, altitudes and speeds, supporting the first UK High Energy Laser (HEL) firing against aerial targets across its operational field of regard." Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive, QinetiQ said: "Achieving the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets at the QinetiQ-managed MOD Hebrides range is a significant milestone. Our world-leading science and technology capabilities have been applied to the continued development of our advanced coherent beam-combining technology which is delivering enhanced performance and scalability. I’m proud of the critical role we are playing in collaboration with industry partners and Dstl to support the development, test and evaluation of this sovereign capability."