Navy's frigates program in the spotlight

Developments are expected this week regarding the Hellenic Navy's frigate program as the Americans and the French will present their final proposals to the political and military leadership of the Defense Ministry.

More specifically, Lockheed Martin is promoting Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) frigates while in the French case, Naval is promoting its new Belharra frigates. Apart from these proposals, the Hellenic Navy is also examining the F110-class frigate of Spanish state-owned shipbuilding company Navantia.

This option is being pushed by the Development Ministry and entails the Onex shipyard company undertaking the construction as a package deal with Elefsina Shipyards.

Reportedly, all of the above options have their critics from a technocratic perspective.

In the case of the F110, many question the ability of Elefsina Shipyards to build these...