Does Greece Really Want to Buy Second Hand Submarines?

 

 

Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Vice Admiral Petrakis delivered a speech, which covered detailed report about the activities of the Navy, on the occasion of the Patron of the Hellenic and Merchant Navy and Saint Nikolaos Day.

Most of his speech covered navy routine, however, there were emerging bullets which clarified the future of the Navy in terms of its boosted arms race.

In summary, Admiral Petrakis stressed the below topics:

• Belharra class frigates represent the future of the Navy, and day will be the decisive power for future conflicts.
• The sixth of Super Vita class patrol boats, KARATHANASIS (the namesake Lieutenant Christodoulos Karathanasis killed during the Kardak crisis, when his helicopter PN 21 crashed into the sea) will deliver significant power to the navy, and project the new and modern face of the force.
• The high frequency band networking system AEGEAN will be expanded and form the basis of the naval communication.
• A cooperation program is underway between Greece and the United States, which will further improve the capabilities in the field of surveillance in the Aegean.
• In line with new concepts, we are moving forward with the process of acquiring and operating a new form of combat technology such as regular unmanned aerial vehicles.
• And finally, we are chasing new opportunities for the Fleet, by exploring the possibilities of tested and reliable solutions for Frigate and Submarine acquisition.

Among all the apparent and familiar topics of the speech, maybe the most interesting part was the acquisition of tested and reliable solutions part. Many translated this as the Navy is about to get used frigates and submarines to expedite platform delivery.

There are broad options on the s
urface combatant side, however, when it comes to submarines, procurement of used boats may sound controversial.

First, there are little options for submarines in the second hand market, as many nations prefer to hold these platforms till the very end of their economic life. It is not easy to train submarine personnel, and once trained, you better keep them fit for the existing boat types.

Second, it is considered to be too risky to transfer a submarine from other navies, as the maintenance history and physical condition of the boat makes dramatic difference on personnel safety.

Hence, there are pretty limited examples of submarine transfers between navies, when compared to surface platforms.

Despite these well known facts, rumours about possible transfer of Brazilian Tupi Class Type 209/1400 to Hellenic Navy can’t be silenced in social media.

For reasons beyond understanding, despite all the economic fragility and fuzziness, Greek arms race seem to boost exponentially, which sometimes may be interpreted as unorthodox, impetuous and disorderly solutions.