PRINT EDITION. By activating the purchase program of three corvettes with the possibility of supplying another one (3 + 1) arrives immediately, possibly even during the day, Navy (PN). Like “K” shows today, P.N. compiled a list of three proposals, namely Corvette FCx30 (Doha) Italian Fincantieri, Govind 2500 French naval group and Sigma 10514 Dutch Damen. It is no secret that of the three proposals, the proposals of Italy and France have the greatest chances, as these days negotiations are underway with representatives of the two companies regarding the details, which mainly relate to the financing of the program. The program is built around the logic of the (3+1) option for this very reason, since based on the current budget margin, the fourth Corvette will depend on the credit facilities that competing companies can offer.

Shipbuilding

One of the “spikes” of the corvette program as a whole is the construction Greek shipyards, since, despite the moves that have been made recently, there is no guarantee that something like this can start right away. All three competitors confirmed to the Greek side that at least the first P.N. will be built locally (Italy, France or Holland). The Italian side also proposed to start construction of the first two at the Italian shipyard, and the next two – in Greece. Everything, of course, in this area will depend on the speed of development of the issue of shipyards.

The range of proposals for the construction of a total of four corvettes is from 1.6 to 2 billion euros. About 2 billion euros is almost the entire budget allocated for strengthening P.N. (The first 3.3 billion was allocated for the delivery of three French FDI-type frigates, which will be built at the Naval Group facilities in Lorient). However, a decision has already been made to modernize the existing four MEKO-type frigates of the fleet of P.N. (“Hydra”, “Specai”, “Psara”, “Salami”), the cost of which will not fall below 500 million euros. Therefore, it becomes clear that the implementation of the corvette program will depend on the ability of the financial staff to “stretch” their repayment over time.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos

National Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said yesterday that “we are close to decisions” on the corvettes issue, saying that the possibility of exercising an option to supply a fourth French FDI-class frigate remains open and will depend on the responses received by companies discussing with PN this period. Of course, it is worth noting that the decision of P.N. the continued activation of the corvette program reflects a broader philosophy that is nothing less than the possibility of deploying more ships. FDI will be the spearhead of the PN, but corvettes are needed, on the one hand, as powerful weapons systems, and on the other hand, to perform daily routine tasks in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.