Hellenic Navy

Hellenic Navy Πολεμικό Ναυτικό
Hellenic Navy Seal
Active	1821 (de facto) 1828 (official)
Country	Greece
Allegiance	The Hellenic Republic
Role	National Defense
Size	over 30,000 Personnel 84 Warships 49 Fleet Support & other Ships 29 Aircraft
Part of	Hellenic Armed Forces
Patron	St. Nicholas
Motto	Μέγα το της θαλάσσης κράτος "Great is the country that controls the sea"
Colors	Blue, White & Gold
Commanders
Chief of the HN General Staff	Vice Admiral Georgios Karamalikis
Chief of the Fleet	Vice Admiral Ioannis Karaiskos
Notable commanders	Admiral Andreas Miaoulis Admiral Konstantinos Kanaris Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis
Insignia
Identification symbol	ΠΝ
Ensign
Naval Jack

The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833-1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).

The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War.^[1] This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea".^[2] The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed christian cross, symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and a trident, which is associated with Poseidon, the god of the sea, with Pericles' words across the top.

"The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."

—Greek Government (1866)

History

The history of the Hellenic Navy begins with the birth of modern Greece, and due to the maritime nature of the country, it has always featured prominently in modern Greece's military history.

The Navy during the Revolution

The destruction of the Ottoman ship at Chios by Kanaris

At the beginning of the Greek War of Independence, the naval forces of the Greeks consisted primarily of the merchant fleet of the Saronic islanders from Hydra, Spetsai and Poros and also the islanders of Psara and Samos. The fleet was of crucial importance to the success of the revolt. If the Greeks failed to counter the Ottoman Navy, it would be able to resupply the isolated Ottoman garrisons and land reinforcements from the Ottoman Empire's Asian provinces at will, crushing the rebellion.

Although Greek crews were experienced seamen, the light Greek ships, mostly armed merchantmen, were unable to stand up to the large Turkish ships of the line in direct combat. So the Greeks resorted to the use of fireships (Greek: πυρπολικά or μπουρλότα), with great success. It was in the use of such ships that courageous seamen like Constantine Kanaris won international renown. Under the leadership of capable admirals, most prominently Andreas Miaoulis of Hydra, or the notable woman captain, Laskarina Bouboulina of Spetsai, the Greek fleet achieved early victories, guaranteeing the survival of the revolt in the mainland.

However, as Greece became embroiled in a civil war, the Sultan called upon his strongest subject, Muhammad Ali of Egypt, for aid. Plagued by internal strife and financial difficulties in keeping the fleet in constant readiness, the Greeks failed to prevent the capture and destruction of Kasos and Psara in 1824, or the landing of the Egyptian army at Modon. Despite victories at Samos and Gerontas, the Revolution was threatened with collapse until the intervention of the Great Powers in the Battle of Navarino in 1827. There the Ottoman fleet was decisively defeated by the combined fleets of the Britain, France and the Russian Empire, effectively securing the independence of Greece.

When Ioannis Capodistrias became governor of newly liberated Greece, the Greek fleet consisted of few remaining ships, which had participated in the war for independence. The first minister of "Naval affairs" was Constantine Kanaris, and the most powerful ship of the fleet at that time, the frigate Hellas, had been constructed in the United States during the years after the Anglo-American War of 1812. The Hellenic Navy established its headquarters at the island of Poros and the building of a new series of ships began at the naval base while old ships were gradually being retired. Furthermore, continuous efforts towards the education of officers were initiated. Young people were initially trained at the military school of Scholi Evelpidon and afterwards they were transferred to the navy, as there was no such thing as a Naval Academy.^[3]

When Capodistrias was assassinated in 1831, Greece descended into anarchy with numerous areas, including Mani and Hydra, in revolt. It was during this revolt that the flagship Hellas, docked at Poros, was set on fire by Admiral Andreas Miaoulis.^[4]

The Royal Hellenic Navy of King Otto

When the new King Otto arrived in the Greek capital, Nafplion, in 1832 aboard the British warship HMS Madagascar, the Greek fleet consisted of 1 corvette, 3 brigs, 6 gollettes, 2 gunboats, 2 steamboats and a few more small vessels. The first Naval School was founded in 1846 on the Corvette Loudovikos and Leonidas Palaskas was assigned as its director. However the inefficient training of the officers, coupled with conflict between those who pursued modernization and those who were stalwarts of the traditions of the veterans of the struggle for independence, resulted in a restricted and inefficient navy, which was limited to policing the sea and the pursuit of pirates.

During the 1850s, the more progressive elements of the navy won out and the fleet was augmented with more ships. In 1855, the first iron propeller-driven ships were ordered from England. These were the steamships Panopi, Pliksavra, Afroessa, and Sfendoni.^[3]

Growth of the Navy under King George

Battleship Psara.

During the 1866 Cretan revolt, the ships of the Royal Hellenic Navy were in no condition to support it. Such failure led to the government awakening to the problem of naval insufficiency and the adoption of a policy stating that: "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory." Because of this, the fleet was supplied with new and bigger ships, reflecting a number of innovations including the use of iron in shipbuilding industry and the invention of the torpedo; with these advances, the effectiveness and the appearance of the Hellenic Navy changed.

Meanwhile after 1878, because of the Russo-Turkish War and the need to expand the Greek navy, a new and larger naval base was established in the area of Faneromeni of Salamis and a few years later it was transferred to the area of Arapis where it remains today. At the same time the Naval Academy was founded and Ilias Kanellopoulos was made Director. A committee from France headed by Admiral Lejeune introduced a new, advanced naval organization and the methodological training of enlisted personnel through the establishment of a training school in the old building of the naval base in Poros. During the government of Charilaos Trikoupis in 1889, the fleet was further increased with the acquisition of new battleships:Hydra, Spetsai, and Psara from France. Thus, when Greece went to war in the Greco-Turkish War in 1897, the Hellenic Navy established its dominance in the Aegean Sea, however, it was unable to change the outcome of the war on land, which was a national humiliation.

In 1907, the Hellenic Navy General Staff (Γενικό Επιτελείο Ναυτικού) was founded, with then-Captain Pavlos Kountouriotis as its first head. After the war, in 1897, the Ottoman Empire embarked on a program of naval expansion for its fleet and as a response to that, in 1909, the cruiser Georgios Averof was bought from Italy. In 1910, an English naval mission arrived, headed by Admiral Tuffnel, in order to recommend improvements in the organization and training of the navy. The mission led to the adoption of the English style of management, organization and training, especially in the area of strategy.

World War I and after: 1914–1940

Greek battleship Limnos at Constantinople in 1919.

The Navy, shortly before the Balkan Wars, was composed of a destroyer and battleship fleet. Its mission was primarily offensive, aiming at capturing the Ottoman-held islands of the Eastern Aegean, and establish naval supremacy in the area. To that end, its commander-in-chief, Rear Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis, established a forward base at the Moudros bay at Lemnos, directly opposite the Dardanelles straits. After defeating the two Turkish sallies from the Straits at Elli (December 1912) and Lemnos (January 1913), the Aegean Sea was secured for Greece.

The Balkan Wars were followed by a rapid escalation between Greece and the Ottoman Empire over the as yet unclear status of the islands of the Eastern Aegean. Both governments embarked on a naval armaments race, with Greece purchasing the obsolete battleships Limnos and Kilkis and the light cruiser Elli as well as ordering two dreadnoughts, the Vasilefs Konstantinos and the Salamis and a number of destroyers. However, with the outbreak of the First World War, construction of the dreadnoughts stopped.

Initially during the war, Greece followed a course of neutrality, with the Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos favoring the Entente and pro-German King Constantine I advocating neutrality. This dispute eventually led to a deep political conflict, known as the "National Schism". In November 1916, in order to apply pressure on the royal government in Athens, the French confiscated the Greek ships. They continued to operate with French crews, primarily in convoy escort and patrol duties in the Aegean, until Greece entered the war on the side of the Allies in June 1917, at which point they were returned to Greece. Subsequently, the Greek Navy took part in the Allied operations in the Aegean, in the Allied expedition in support of Denikin's White Armies in the Ukraine, and in the operations of the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922 in Asia Minor.

After Greece's catastrophic defeat, the 1920s and early 1930s were a politically turbulent period, with the economy in a bad state, so the Navy received no new units, apart from the modernization of four destroyers and the acquisition of six French submarines in 1927 and four Italian destroyers in 1929.

World War II

Famous Greek cruiser Georgios Averof painted in disruptive camouflage scheme while operating in the Indian Ocean during World War II.

In 1938, Greece ordered four modern Greyhound class destroyers in English shipyards, making a serious step towards modernization. The outbreak of war in Europe, however, allowed only two to be delivered. Greece entered World War II with a navy consisting of one armoured cruiser, 14 destroyers, and six submarines.^[5]

During the Greco-Italian War, the Navy took over convoy escort missions in the Ionian Sea and even embarked on three raids against the Italian supply convoys in the Strait of Otranto. The most important role was given to the submarines, which although obsolete, managed to sink several Italian cargo ships in the Adriatic.

But when Nazi Germany attacked Greece, the RHN suffered heavily at the hands of the Luftwaffe, with 25 ships, including the old battleships Kilkis and Limnos, lost within a few days in April 1941. It was then decided to shift the remaining fleet (one cruiser -the famous Averof-, three destroyers and five submarines) to the join up with the British Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria.

As the war progressed, the number of Hellenic Royal Navy vessels increased after the concession of several destroyers and submarines by the British Royal Navy. The most notable aspects of the Hellenic Royal Navy's participation in World War II include the operations of the destroyer Vassilissa Olga which, until sunk in Leros in September 23, 1943, was the most successful Allied destroyer in the Mediterranean Sea; the participation of two destroyers in Operation Overlord; and the story of the destroyer Adrias, which while operating close to the coast of Kalymnos in October 1943 hit a mine, resulting in the loss of the vessel's prow, while blowing the two-gun forward turret over the bridge. After some minor repairs at Gümüşlük Bay in Turkey the Adrias managed to return to Alexandria in a 400-mile (640 km) trip, even though all the forepart of the ship, up to the bridge, was missing.

Post war era

The destroyer Kanaris (D212), a few weeks before decommission

After World War II, the Royal Hellenic Navy was significantly strengthened by the concession of British and Italian ships. The organisation also changed in line with modern naval doctrines of that era after the entrance into NATO in 1952. At the beginning of the 1950s, US military aid formed the core of the country's armed forces. The Royal Hellenic Navy received the first Bostwick-class destroyers which took on the name Beasts (Θηρία), while withdrawing the British ones.

The next significant change was during the early 1970s, when Greece was the first Mediterranean naval force to order missile-equipped Fast Attack Craft (Combattante II) and the Type 209 submarines, whereas US military aid continued in the form of FRAM II class destroyers. In 1979, Hellenic Navy placed an order in the Netherlands for two modern Standard class frigates (the Elli class). These were the first acquisitions of new main surface vessels, rather than the use of second-hand ships, in almost four decades.

1980 to present

Frigate Psara (F454) sailing down the Firth of Clyde at the start of Neptune Warrior multinational training exercise.

Hellenic Navy was enhanced to its maximum point during the last decade. The arrivals of Hydra class (MEKO 200 HN) and more Standard class frigates along with the orders for more missile corvettes, Poseidon class Type 209 submarine submarines and naval helicopters allowed the retirement of the obsolete vessels.

Greece also received four Charles F. Adams class destroyers from the US Navy in 1991-1992. All four have since been decommissioned since their electronics and armament were obsolete while they required large crews.

The advance continued when Greece ordered Type 214 submarines that feature an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, Sikorsky S-70B-6/10 Aegean Hawk helicopters and Project 1232.2 Zubr class hovercraft from Russia and the Ukraine.

Recent plans included the modernization of Standard class frigates with new electronics and radar systems, the modernization of Glaukos and Poseidon class submarines with new sonars, electronics and air-independent propulsion engines (programs Neptune 1/2), while on January 2009 the order of six (4+2) FREMM multipurpose frigates was announced by the Hellenic Navy.^[6]

Chain of Command

Main Commands

• Γενικό Επιτελείο Εθνικής Αμύνης (ΓΕΕΘΑ) Hellenic National Defense General Staff
• Γενικόν Επιτελείον Ναυτικού (ΓΕΝ) Hellenic Navy General Staff
  • Αρχηγείον Στόλου (ΑΣ) Fleet Headquarters
    • Ναυτική Διοίκηση Αιγαίου (ΝΔΑ) Aegean Sea Naval Command, Piraeus 37°56′01″N 23°37′31″E / 37.93361°N 23.62528°E / 37.93361; 23.62528
    • Ναυτική Διοίκηση Ιονίου (ΝΔΙ) Ionian Sea Naval Command, Patras 38°15′00″N 21°44′00″E / 38.25°N 21.7333333°E / 38.25; 21.7333333
    • Ναυτική Διοίκηση Βορείου Ελλάδος (ΝΔΒΕ) Northern Greece Naval Command, Thessaloniki
  • Διοίκηση Ναυτικής Εκπαίδευσης (ΔΝΕ) Navy Training Command
  • Διοίκηση Διοικητικής Μέριμνας (ΔΔΜΝ) Paymaster Command
    • Ναύσταθμος Σούδας Souda Bay Naval Dock Crete
    • Ναύσταθμος Σαλαμίνας Salamis Naval Base 37°58′25″N 23°31′42″E / 37.97361°N 23.52833°E / 37.97361; 23.52833 and 37°59′22″N 23°43′18″E / 37.98944°N 23.72167°E / 37.98944; 23.72167
  • Υδρογραφική Υπηρεσία Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service^[7]
  • Υπηρεσία Φάρων Lighthouse Service^[8]

Combat Arms

• Διοίκηση Φρεγατών (ΔΦΓ) Frigate Command
• Διοίκηση Κανονιοφόρων (ΔΚΦ) Gunboat Command
• Διοίκηση Ταχέων Σκαφών (ΔΤΣ) Fast Attack Craft Command
• Διοίκηση Υποβρυχίων (ΔΥ) Submarine Command
• Διοίκηση Αμφιβίων Δυνάμεων (ΔΑΔ) Amphibious Assault Forces Command
  • Greece does not have a marine corps established as a separate branch attached to the naval service. Instead, the Army includes the 32nd Marine Brigade (32η Ταξιαρχία Πεζοναυτών); the Navy provides the landing craft etc.
• Διοίκηση Υποβρυχίων Καταστροφών (ΔΥΚ) Underwater Demolition Command
• Αεροπορία Ναυτικής Συνεργασίας Fleet Air Arm
  • Διοίκηση Ελικοπτέρων Ναυτικού (ΔΕΝ) Naval Helicopter Command, Kotroni Naval Fort, 38°08′31″N 23°57′03″E / 38.14194°N 23.95083°E / 38.14194; 23.95083
  • 353 Μοίρα Ναυτικής Συνεργασίας (353 ΜΝΑΣ) 353rd Naval Cooperation Squadron, joint operation with Hellenic Air Force 112 Combat Wing, Elefsis, flying Lockheed P-3B Orion aircraft. 38°04′13″N 23°33′56″E / 38.07028°N 23.56556°E / 38.07028; 23.56556
  • Ελικοδρομιο Αμφιάλης = Amfiali Heliport 37°59′30″N 23°34′28″E / 37.99167°N 23.57444°E / 37.99167; 23.57444

Combat Support Arms

• Διοίκηση Ναρκοπολέμου (ΔΝΑΡ) Minesweeper Command

Combat Service Support

• Σχολή Εξάσκησης Ναυτικής Τακτικής (ΣΕΝΤ) Naval Tactical Training School (under Fleet Headquarters)

Inventory

Naval Fleet

Class (Type)	Photo	Name	#	Name in Greek	In Service	Notes
Frigates
Hydra (Type: Meko-200HN)[9]		HS Hydra HS Spetsai HS Psara HS Salamis	F 452 F 453 F 454 F 455	Φ/Γ Ύδρα Φ/Γ Σπέτσαι Φ/Γ Ψαρά Φ/Γ Σαλαμίς	4	Within the next 2 years a modernization and upgrading program will be launched for all 4 vessels.[10]
Elli (Type: Standard)[9]		HS Elli HS Limnos HS Adrias HS Aigaion HS Navarinon HS Kountouriotis HS Bouboulina HS Kanaris HS Themistoklis HS Nikiforos Fokas	F 450 F 451 F 459 F 460 F 461 F 462 F 463 F 464 F 465 F 466	Φ/Γ 'Ελλη Φ/Γ Λήμνος Φ/Γ Αδρίας Φ/Γ Αιγαίον Φ/Γ Ναυαρίνον Φ/Γ Κουντουριώτης Φ/Γ Μπουμπουλίνα Φ/Γ Κανάρης Φ/Γ Θεμιστοκλής Φ/Γ Νικηφόρος Φωκάς	10	F Elli (F-450) & F Limnos (F 451) built specifically for the Hellenic Navy. Modernization of Six frigates of the S Class will be completed by the end of 2010.[10]
FREMM					0	HN will be ordering 6 FREMM.[6][10]
Gunboats
Thetis[11]		HS Doxa HS Eleftheria	P 63 P 64	Κ/Φ Δόξα Κ/Φ Ελευθερία	2	Similar in size to corvettes.
Osprey 55 HSY-55 Osprey HSY-56A		HS Armatolos HS Navmachos HS Kasos HS Polemistis HS Machitis HS Nikiphoros HS Aittitos HS Krataios	P 18 P 19 P 57 P 61 P 266 P 267 P 268 P 269	Κ/Φ Αρματωλός Κ/Φ Ναυμάχος Κ/Φ Κάσος Κ/Φ Πολεμιστής Κ/Φ Μαχητής Κ/Φ Νικηφόρος Κ/Φ Αήττητος Κ/Φ Κραταιός	8	Class HSY-55 designed by the Hellenic Navy. Modular concept so that weapons and sensors can be changed as required.
Asheville		HS Tolmi HS Hormi	P 229 P 230	Κ/Φ Τόλμη Κ/Φ Ορμή	2	HS "Tolmi" is ex USN USS Green Bay (PG-101).[12] HS "Hormi" is ex USN USS Beacon (PG-99).[13]
Fast Attack Missile
Roussen (Type: Super-Vita)		HS Roussen HS Daniolos HS Krystallidis ** HS Grigoropoulos ** HS Ritsos (Under Construction) Unnamed Unnamed	P 67 P 68 P 69 P 70 P 71 P 72 P 73	ΤΠΚ Ρουσσέν ΤΠΚ Δανιόλος ΤΠΚ Κρυσταλλίδης ΤΠΚ Γρηγορόπουλος ΤΠΚ Ρίτσος	3	Two more, being the option of the initial order, ordered in September 2003.[14][15] An additional 2 more Super Vita ordered will be built and fitted with MM40 Exocets (Block III).[10][16]
La Combattante III		HS Laskos HS Blessas HS Mykonios HS Troupakis	P 20 P 21 P 22 P 23	ΤΠΚ Λάσκος ΤΠΚ Μπλέσσας ΤΠΚ Μυκόνιος ΤΠΚ Τρουπάκης	4	Upgraded (2006). Fitted with MM38 Exocets.
La Combattante IIIb		HS Kavaloudis HS Degiannis HS Xenos HS Simitzopoulos HS Starakis	P 24 P 26 P 27 P 28 P 29	ΤΠΚ Καβαλούδης ΤΠΚ Ντεγιάννης ΤΠΚ Ξένος ΤΠΚ Σιμιτζόπουλος ΤΠΚ Σταράκης	5	Upgraded (2006). Fitted with P24-P29 Penguins (Mk2/Mod3).
La Combattante IIa		HS Votsis HS Pezopoulos HS Vlachavas HS Maridakis HS Tournas HS Sakipis	P 72 P 73 P 74 P 75 P 76 P 77	ΤΠΚ Βότσης ΤΠΚ Πεζόπουλος ΤΠΚ Βλαχάβας ΤΠΚ Μαριδάκης ΤΠΚ Τουρνάς ΤΠΚ Σακίπης	6	Fitted with RGM-84 Harpoons.
Submarines
Glafkos (Type: 209 (1100))		HS Glafkos HS Nireus HS Triton HS Proteus	S 110 S 111 S 112 S 113	Υ/Β Γλαύκος Υ/Β Νηρεύς Υ/Β Τρίτων Υ/Β Πρωτεύς	4	Program "Neptune I" upgrades.
Poseidon (Type: 209 (1200))		HS Poseidon HS Amphitriti HS Okeanos HS Pontos	S 116 S 117 S 118 S 119	Υ/Β Ποσειδών Υ/Β Αμφιτρίτη Υ/Β Ωκεανός Υ/Β Πόντος	4	Program "Neptune II" upgrades.
Papanikolis (Type: 214)		** HS Papanikolis ** HS Pipinos ** HS Matrozos ** HS Katsonis (Under Construction)	S 120 S 121 S 122 S 123	Υ/Β Παπανικολής Υ/Β Πιπίνος Υ/Β Ματρώζος Υ/Β Κατσώνης	0	This submarine deal was cancelled by German shipbuilder TKMS.[17]
Mine-Sweepers
Type: Coastal		HS Alkyon HS Avra HS Aidon HS Kichli HS Kissa HS Pleias	M 211 M 214 M 240 M 241 M 242 M 248	Ν/Α Αλκυών Ν/Α Αύρα Ν/Α Αηδών Ν/Α Κίχλη Ν/Α Κίσσα Ν/Α Πλειάς	6
Hunt Osprey		HS Evropi HS Kallisto HS Evniki HS Kalypso	M 62 M 63 M 61 M 64	Ν/ΘΗ Ευρώπη Ν/ΘΗ Καλλιστώ Ν/Α Ευνίκη Ν/Α Καλυψώ	4	HS "Evniki" is ex USN USS Pelican, MHC-53.[18] HS "Kalypso" is ex USN USS Heron, MHC-52.[19] Two more Hunters Class Osprey are expected to be commissioned in the HN in the near future, the USS Osprey (MHC-51) and USS Robin (MHC-54). See S. 3052: Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 for details.[20] The Congress of the USA approved the transfer on September 10, 2008.
Torpedo Retrievers
Class: 430/430A		HS Arachthos HS Evrotas HS Nestos	A 461 A 460 A 463	ΠΑΤ Αραχθός ΠΑΤ Ευρώτας ΠΑΤ Νέστος	3
Landing crafts
Jason LST		HS Chios HS Samos HS Ikaria HS Lesvos HS Rodos	L 173 L 174 L 175 L 176 L 177	Α/Γ Χίος Α/Γ Σάμος Α/Γ Ικαρία Α/Γ Λέσβος Α/Γ Ρόδος	5	Military lift of 300 troops plus vehicles; 4 LCVPs.
LCU (Type: 520)		HS Ios HS Paros HS Sikinos HS Irakleia HS Pholegandros	L 167 L 179 L 168 L 169 L 170	Α/Β 'Ιος Α/Β Πάρος Α/Β Σίκινος Α/Β Ηρακλειά Α/Β Φολέγανδρος	5
Zubr		HS Kephallenia HS Ithaki HS Kerkyra HS Zakynthos	L 180 L 181 L 182 L 183	ΠΤΜ Κεφαλληνία ΠΤΜ Ιθάκη ΠΤΜ Κέρκυρα ΠΤΜ Ζάκυνθος	4	Military lift of total 130 tons of cargo (battle tanks, personnel carriers, troops or combinations of those).
Patrol boats
Tjeld (Type: Nasty) (Type: Esterel)		HS Andromeda HS Kyknos HS Pegasus HS Toxotis HS Diopos Antoniou HS Kelevstis Stamou	P 196 P 198 P 199 P 228 Ρ 286 Ρ 287	ΠΠ Ανδρομέδα ΠΠ Κύκνος ΠΠ Πήγασος ΠΠ Τοξότης ΠΠ Κ/Β Δίοπος Αντωνίου ΠΠ Κ/Β Κελευστής Στάμου	6	Formerly called: torpedo boats.
Transport
Personnel Transport		HS Pandora HS Pandrosos HS Naxos HS Serifos	A 419 A 420 L 178 L 195	ΠΜΠ Πανδώρα ΠΜΠ Πάνδροσος ΠΜΠ Νάξος ΠΜΠ Σέριφος	4	PTV "Naxos" and PTV "Serifos" are converted LCUs.
Tankers
Oil Tankers		HS Zeus HS Ouranos HS Hyperion HS Orion	A 375 A 416 A 417 A 376	Π/Φ Ζεύς Π/Φ Ουρανός Π/Φ Υπερίων Π/Φ Ωρίων	4
Water Tankers		HS Kalliroe HS Trichonis HS Doirani HS Kerkini HS Prespa HS Stymphalia	A 468 A 466 A 476 A 433 A 434 A 469	Υ/Φ Καλλιρόη Υ/Φ Τριχωνίς Υ/Φ Δοϊράνη Υ/Φ Κερκίνη Υ/Φ Πρέσπα Υ/Φ Στυμφαλία	6
Other
Oceanographic & Scientific Research		HS Naftilos HS Pytheas HS Strabon HS Akatos 14	A 478 A 474 A 476 AΚ 14	Υ/Γ-Ω/Κ Ναυτίλος Υ/Γ-Ω/Κ Πυθέας Υ/Γ-Ω/Κ Στράβων Υ/Γ-Ω/Κ Άκατος 14	4
Auxiliary Vessels Class: Etna (AOR) Class: Thetis (AN 103) Type: Net/Buoy Tender Type: Munitions Transport		HS Promitheus HS Thetis HS Evros	A 374 A 307 A 415	ΠΓΥ Προμηθεύς ΦΘ Θέτις ΜΠ Έβρος	1 1 1
Lighthouse Tenders		HS Karavogiannos HS Lykoudis	A 479 A 481	ΠΦΑ Καραβόγιαννος ΠΦΑ Λυκούδης	2
Replenishment Ships Class: 701C (Type: Luneburg)		HS Axios HS Aliakmon	A 464 A 470	Π/Φ Αξιός Π/Φ Αλιάκμων	2
Memorial Ships
Cruiser Pisa Class		HS Georgios Averof	-	Θ/Κ Γεώργιος Αβέρωφ	1	Museum ship. The ship is regarded as in active service, carrying the Rear Admiral's Rank Flag. It is the only Armored Cruiser worldwide still in existence.
Trireme		HS Olympias	-	Τριήρης Ολυμπιάς	1	Olympias is a reconstruction of an ancient Athenian trireme. She is hand-built and considered in active service.[21]
Tugboats
Tugboat		HS Aias HS Gigas HS Danaos HS Iason HS Minos HS Nestor HS Pelias HS Persefs HS Adamastos HS Atrefs HS Atromitos HS Achillefs HS Diomidis HS Odyssefs HS Romaleos HS Thisefs	A 412 A 432 A 427 A 424 A 436 A 421 A 437 A 429 A 411 A 439 A 410 A 409 A 440 A 425 A 442 A 441	Ρ/Κ Αίας Ρ/Κ Γίγας Ρ/Κ Δαναός Ρ/Κ Ιάσων Ρ/Κ Μίνως Ρ/Κ Νέστωρ Ρ/Κ Πελίας Ρ/Κ Περσεύς Ρ/Κ Αδάμαστος Ρ/Κ Ατρεύς Ρ/Κ Ατρόμητος Ρ/Κ Αχιλλεύς Ρ/Κ Διομήδης Ρ/Κ Οδυσσεύς Ρ/Κ Ρωμαλέος Ρ/Κ Θησεύς	19	The Navy operates a mixed fleet of tugboats based at the two major naval docks of Salamis and Souda Bay. The list includes both open sea and harbour tugboats.

Aircraft Fleet

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In Service[22]	Total Numbers	Notes	Photo
Lockheed P-3 Orion	United States	Maritime Patrol	P-3B	0[23]	6	Operated by the Hellenic Air Force.[22]
Sikorsky S-70 Aegean Hawk	United States	Anti-submarine warfare	S-70B-6 S-70B	8 3	11
Agusta-Bell AB-212	Italy	Anti-submarine warfare Naval ESM	AB-212 ASW AB-212 EW	8 2	10	Upgraded naval version of the UH-1N Twin Huey. The 2 AB-212EW are in storage.
Aérospatiale Alouette III	France	Trainer	SA-319B	2	2

Recently decommissioned ships

Fast attack craft torpedo

• 4 x HS Class Jaguar
  • HS Hesperos (P 50) (ex German Seeadler P 6068), decommissioned 21 December 2004
  • HS Kyklon (P 53) (ex German Greif P 6071), decommissioned 7 October 2005
  • HS Lelaps (P 54) (ex German Kondor P 6070), decommissioned 21 December 2004
  • HS Typhon (P 56) (ex German Geier P 6073), decommissioned 7 October 2005

Mine-Sweepers

• HS Kleio (M 213), Class A, decommissioned on 3 October 2006.
• HS Erato (M 60), Class Castano, decommissioned on 3 October 2006.

Gunboats

• HS Niki (P 62) (ex German Thetis P 6052), Thetis class, decommissioned on 2 April 2009.

Tugs

• HS Iraklis (A-423), decommissioned on 30 November 2009
• HS Aegefs (A-438), decommissioned on 30 November 2009
• HS Pilefs(A-413), decommissioned on 30 November 2009

Hellenic Navy Flags

HN Naval Ensign and the universal flag of Greece.	HN Naval Jack.	Minister of Defence flag.	HN 4-star Admiral's Flag.
HN Commodore's flag.	HN Division Commander's flag.	HN Senior Officer's flag.	HN Commissioning Pennant.

Photo gallery

LST HS Syros, L-144, undergoing trials, 1964	LST HS Syros, L-144, circa 1969	Frigate HS Spetsai, F-453, during Phoenix Express (PE 08).	Osprey 55 class gunboat HS Navmachos, P-19, (Κ/Φ Ναυμάχος) at Faliron Bay.
Lighthouse Tender HS Karavogiannos (ΠΦΑ Καραβόγιαννος), A-479, at Piraeus port.	HS Pandora A-419, a passenger ship connecting Piraeus Harbor and Salamis Naval Base.	HS Psara, F-454, in Operation "Enduring Freedom".

See also

• Hellenic Naval Cadets Academy
• Greek Merchant Navy

v • d • e Ship classes of the Hellenic Navy Frigates FREMM (on order) · Hydra class · Elli class Gunboats Thetis class · Osprey 55 class · Osprey HSY-56A class · Asheville class Submarines Glafkos class - Neptune I · Poseidon class - Neptune II  · Papanikolis class Fast Attack Craft Roussen class · La Combattante III class · La Combattante IIIb class · La Combattante IIa class Mine Warfare Ships Hunt class mine hunters · Osprey class mine hunters · MSC-294 class minesweepers Landing Vessels Jason class LSTs · Zubr class LCACs · Barbe class

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hellenic Navy

References

External links

v • d • e Military of Greece Governing Bodies KYSEA • Ministry of National Defense • National Defense General Staff Branches Hellenic Navy • Hellenic Army • Hellenic Air Force • Hellenic Coast Guard (paramilitary) Other Ranks • Military history • Conscription • Defense Industry Military of Greece Portal