Hellenic Navy

This article is about the naval forces of modern Greece. For information on naval warfare in ancient Greece, see Hellenistic-era warships.

Hellenic Navy Πολεμικό Ναυτικό - Polemikó Naf̱tikó
Hellenic Navy Seal
Active	1821 (de facto) 1828 (official)
Country	Greece
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 - Méga to ti̱s Thalássi̱s Krátos "Great is the country that controls the sea"
Colors	Blue, White & Gold
Commanders
Chief of the HN General Staff	Vice Admiral Kosmas Christidis
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 total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.

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 and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem.

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

—Greek Government (1866)

History

Main article: History of the Hellenic Navy

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 flagship at Chios by Constantine 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. Its goal was to prevent as much as possible the Ottoman Navy from resupplying the isolated Ottoman garrisons and land reinforcements from the Ottoman Empire's Asian provinces.

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, 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 Egypto-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 in 1828, 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 in 1825. 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^{[citation needed]} 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]

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] Capodistrias was assassinated a few months after.

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

Navy uniforms in the 1890s.

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

See also: The Hellenic Navy in 1917

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

Further information: Military history of Greece during 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 2 battleships, 1 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 battleship, now artillery training ship, Kilkis and the hulk of her sister 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 on 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)

Chain of Command

Naval Service Hellenic Navy
Organization
Navy General Staff
Current fleet
Salamis Naval Base
Naval Academy
History
History of the Navy
Historic ships
Standing Hellenic Navy Deployments
NATO SNMG2
NATO SNMCMG2
Operation Active Endeavour
Operation UNIFIL
EU NAVFOR Atalanta

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^[6]
  • Υπηρεσία Φάρων Lighthouse Service^[7]

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)

Ranks and insignia

Officers

Officer Grade Structure of the Hellenic Navy
OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1
Ναύαρχος (Admiral)	Αντιναύαρχος (Vice Admiral)	Υποναύαρχος (Rear Admiral)	Αρχιπλοίαρχος (Commodore)	Πλοίαρχος (Captain)	Αντιπλοίαρχος (Commander)	Πλωτάρχης (Lt. Commander)	Υποπλοίαρχος (Lieutenant)	Ανθυποπλοίαρχος (Sub-Lieutenant)	Σημαιοφόρος (Ensign)

NCOs and enlisted

NCO Rank Structure of the Hellenic Navy
OR-9	OR-8	OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4	OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Ανθυπασπιστής[8] Anthypaspistis (Warrant Officer)	Αρχικελευστής Archikelefstis	Επικελευστής Epikelefstis	Κελευστής Kelefstis	Έφεδρος Κελευστής Efedros Kelefstis	Δίοπος Diopos			Ναύτης Naftis (Seaman)

Inventory

See also: Current Hellenic Navy ships

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 completed by the end of 2010.[10]
Gunboats
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).[11] HS "Hormi" is ex USN USS Beacon (PG-99).[12]
Fast Attack Missile
Roussen (Type: Super-Vita)		HS Roussen HS Daniolos HS Krystallidis HS Grigoropoulos HS Ritsos HS Karathanasis HS Vlahakos	P 67 P 68 P 69 P 70 P 71 P 72 P 73	ΤΠΚ Ρουσσέν ΤΠΚ Δανιόλος ΤΠΚ Κρυσταλλίδης ΤΠΚ Γρηγορόπουλος ΤΠΚ Ρίτσος ΤΠΚ Καραθανάσης ΤΠΚ Βλαχάκος	5	Two more under construction, being the option of the initial order, ordered in September 2008.[13][14] An additional 2 more Super Vita ordered will be built and fitted with MM40 Exocets (Block III).[10][15]
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 (2006-2011). Fitted with P24-P29 Penguins (Mk2/Mod3).
La Combattante IIa		HS Votsis HS Pezopoulos HS Maridakis	P 72 P 73 P 75	ΤΠΚ Βότσης ΤΠΚ Πεζόπουλος ΤΠΚ Μαριδάκης	3	Fitted with RGM-84 Harpoons.
Submarines
Glafkos (Type: 209 (1100))		HS Nireus HS Triton HS Proteus	S 111 S 112 S 113	Υ/Β Νηρεύς Υ/Β Τρίτων Υ/Β Πρωτεύς	3	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 (Program canceled after the modernization of the first boat Okeanos).
Papanikolis (Type: 214)		HS Papanikolis HS Pipinos HS Matrozos HS Katsonis ** HS ??? ** HS ??? (**Under Construction)	S 120 S 121 S 122 S 123 S 124 S 125	Υ/Β Παπανικολής Υ/Β Πιπίνος Υ/Β Ματρώζος Υ/Β Κατσώνης Υ/Β ??? Υ/Β ???	1	The remaining 3 submarines are under sea trials in Skaramagas and 2 more will be built in Greece to replace the Neptune II modernization program.
Mine-Sweepers
Type: Coastal		HS Alkyon HS Avra HS Aidon HS Kichli HS Pleias	M 211 M 214 M 240 M 241 M 248	Ν/Α Αλκυών Ν/Α Αύρα Ν/Α Αηδών Ν/Α Κίχλη Ν/Α Πλειάς	5
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 "Europa" is ex RN HMS Bicester, M-36. HS "Kalypso" is ex RN HMS Berkeley, M-40. HS "Evniki" is ex USN USS Pelican, MHC-53.[16] HS "Kalypso" is ex USN USS Heron, MHC-52.[17] 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.[18] 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[19]	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) Net/Buoy Tender		HS Promitheus HS Thetis	A 374 A 307	ΠΓΥ Προμηθεύς ΦΘ Θέτις	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
Pisa-class Armored Cruiser		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.[20]
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	16	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[21]	Total Numbers	Notes	Photo
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

See also: List of decommissioned ships of the Hellenic Navy

Type La Combattante IIA fast attack missile boats

• HS Vlahavas (P74): Decommissioned on 2011-06-10^[22][23]
• HS Tournas (P76): Decommissioned on 2011-06-10^[22][23]
• HS Sakipis (P77): Decommissioned on 2011-06-10^[22][23]

Mine-Sweepers

• HS Kissa (M 242), decommissioned on 21 June 2010 ^[24]

Gunboats

• HS Niki (P-62) (ex German Thetis P 6052), Thetis class, decommissioned on 2 April 2009.
• HS Doxa (P-63) (ex German Najade P 6054), Thetis class, decommissioned on 22 April 2010.^[25]
• HS Eleftheria (P-64) (ex German Triton P 6055), Thetis class, decommissioned on 22 April 2010.

Submarines

• HS Glavkos' (S110): Type 209/1100, to be decommissioned within 2011^[22].

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

Ammunition ships

• HS Evros (A-415), 1976–2009

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.

• 

  Portrait of Rear Admiral Sofoklis Dousmanis (1868-1952).

• 

  Frigates HS Spetsai, F-453 and HS Bouboulina, F-463, at Phaleron Bay.

• 

  submarine S-120 Papanikolis (214 type) at HDW at Kiel.

• 

  Osprey 55 class gunboat HS Navmachos, P-19, (Κ/Φ Ναυμάχος) at Faliron Bay.

• 

  HS Pandora A-419, a passenger ship connecting Piraeus Harbor and Salamis Naval Base.

• 

  HS Psara, F-454, in Operation "Enduring Freedom".

• 

  The Hellenic Navy band participating in the Army Day parade in Sofia, Bulgaria.

See also

• Hellenic Naval Cadets Academy
• Greek Merchant Navy

References

1. ^ Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 1.143
2. ^ "Address of Panos Kammenos, Deputy Minister for Mercantile Marine to the International Conference of Propeller Clubs" (in Greek). Ministry of Mercantile Marine, Aegean and Island Policy. 2007-10-04. http://www.yen.gr/wide/yen.chtm?prnbr=31819. Retrieved 2007-10-17. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Official website of the Hellenic Navy
4. ^ Politics and Statecraft in the Kingdom of Greece, John Anthony Petropulos, Princeton University Press, 1968.
5. ^ Vice Admiral C. Paizis-Paradellis, HN (2002). Hellenic Warships 1829-2001 (3rd Edition). Athens, Greece: The Society for the study of Greek History. p. 205. ISBN 960-8172-14-4. 
6. ^ http://www.hnhs.gr/
7. ^ "Υπηρεσία Φάρων". Hellenicnavy.gr. http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/yf/default.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
8. ^ The Greek Warrant Officer is included in OR-9. A Warrant Officer is afforded the privileges of an officer, see STANAG 2116 note 16.
9. ^ ^{a b} Nikos Koukourouzis ([e-mail]). "HELLENIC NAVY - Frigates Class Meko-200HN". Hellenicnavy.gr. http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/frigates_m_en.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
10. ^ ^{a b c} "DefenceNet - HN’s future planning and new procurement policy". Defencenet.gr. http://www.defencenet.gr/defense/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7845&Itemid=96. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
11. ^ "Green Bay". Nvr.navy.mil. http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/PG101.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-13. 
12. ^ "BEACON". Nvr.navy.mil. http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/PG99.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-13. 
13. ^ "Tα ονόματα τους παίρνουν οι δύο νέες πυραυλακάτοι" (in Greek). Hellenic Defense. 2008-09-30. http://www.defencenet.gr/defence/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17632&Itemid=139. Retrieved 2008-10-02. 
14. ^ "Υπογραφή συμβάσεων μεταξύ Ναυπηγείων Ελευσίνας και BVT για τις δυο νέες ΤΠΚ Super Vita". Hellenic Defense & Security (33): 18. November 2008. ISSN 9-771790-708001-11. 
15. ^ "Roussen Class (62m Super Vita) Fast Attack Missile Craft". Naval Technology. http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/hellenic/. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
16. ^ "Pelican". Nvr.navy.mil. http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/MHC53.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-13. 
17. ^ "HERON". Nvr.navy.mil. http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/MHC52.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-13. 
18. ^ "GovTrack: S. 3052 [110th]: Text of Legislation, Reported in Senate". Govtrack.us. 1999-02-22. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s110-3052. Retrieved 2009-08-24. 
19. ^ Hellenic Navy "Other Ships"
20. ^ koukourouzis Nikos ([e-mail]) (2004-05-14). "Hellenic Navy - Trireme". Hellenicnavy.gr. http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/trihrhs_en.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
21. ^ "Greek military aviation OrBat". Milaviapress.com. http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/greece/index.php. Retrieved 2009-04-13. 
22. ^ ^{a b c d} "ΠΤΗΣΗ & ΔΙΑΣΤΗΜΑ", March 2011, pp. 8
23. ^ ^{a b c} 10/6/2011 Τελετή Υποστολής Σημαίας ΤΠΚ ΣΑΚΙΠΗΣ ΤΟΥΡΝΑΣ και ΒΛΑΧΑΒΑΣ
24. ^ 22/6/2010 Παροπλισμός Ναρκαλιευτικού ΚΙΣΣΑ
25. ^ 27/4/2010 Παροπλισμος Κανονιοφόρων ΔΟΞΑ και ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ

Further reading

• Official Website of the Hellenic Navy. Note regarding copyright: The Hellenic Navy allows free use and distribution of images from their web site with proper attribution, however they have no set copyright policy for derivative work. See also appropriate template from Greek Wikipedia: el:Template:ΠΔΕΠΝ.
• Zisis Fotakis (2005). Greek Naval Strategy and Policy 1910-1919 (Naval Policy and History). Routledge. ISBN 978-0415350143. 
• Andrew Toppan (2002). "World Navies Today: Greece". http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/europe/greece.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-04. : Excellent resource with details for ships of the Hellenic Navy. Caution: List not updated since 2002.
• Royal Hellenic or Greek Navy in World War I, including warship losses