Hellenic Navy to Add Fleet Support Ship 'Perseus', Final U.S.-made Island-class Cutters

The Hellenic Navy's upcoming multi-mission vessel 'Perseus' and the final pair of Island-class cutters arrived at Salamis Naval Base on September 1.

In the coming weeks, 'Perseus' will undergo necessary modifications to prepare for its integration into the Greek Fleet. This marks the fourth multi-purpose ship to join the Navy as a fleet support vessel, with all of them being former commercial vessels generously donated by Panos Laskaridis, the Greek shipowner and president of the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation.

The fifth ship donated by Laskaridis to the Navy is the former research vessel 'Viking Vision.' This contribution follows the donation of the 37-meter naval cadet training ship 'Kyknos' in 2014 and, between 2019 and 2021, the fleet support ships 'Atlas I' (built in 1999, 70.4 meters long, 5,300 tons full load displacement), 'Hercules' (built in 2002, 84 meters long, 6,900 tons full load displacement), and 'Aias' (built in 2002, 83.3 meters long, 7,500 tons full load displacement), all of which were former platform supply vessels (PSV).

Originally constructed in 1993 and extensively refurbished and converted in 2007 at a cost of $50 million as a research vessel, 'Viking Vision' was operated by Eidesvik Shipping AS until 2017. Key features of the ship include a gross tonnage of 9,811 tons, a deadweight tonnage of about 5,052 tons, an overall length of 105 meters, a hybrid propulsion system with electric propulsion and minimal acoustic signature, and an electrical power capacity exceeding 11MW. The ship can reach a maximum speed of 17 knots and has the capability to transport and deliver approximately 3,000 cubic meters of F-76 fuel at sea. It is equipped with a helipad suitable for all single main rotor helicopter types of the Hellenic Armed Forces. Although not equipped with scientific instruments, it possesses the capacity to support seismic and geophysical research missions.

Additionally, the vessel features two spacious covered decks and an inclined stern for launching and recovering fast boats, along with three powerful cranes boasting a 10-ton capacity. The Navy will utilize the ship in various significant military and humanitarian roles, given its ability to accommodate large numbers of military personnel and heavy equipment in its protected and covered decks, facilitating swift launching and recovery.

Meanwhile, the two Island-class cutters were transferred to the Hellenic Navy by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The former 'Monomoy' (WPB-1326) and 'Wrangell' (WPB-1332) were previously stationed in Manama, Bahrain, as part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), providing combat-ready assets to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. These patrol vessels will undergo an extensive refit and partial modernization, including the addition of a 20mm Remote Weapon System (RWS), a process expected to last several months.