Osprey HSY-56A-class gunboat

Summary

The Osprey HSY-56A-class gunboat (also known as Machitis-class gunboat)[1][2] is a class of naval vessel currently in service in the Hellenic Navy. These ships are similar to HSY-55-class gunboat and were also built by Hellenic Shipyards (HSY). They are the most modern patrol vessels of Hellenic Navy. The first ship of the class named Machitis (pronounced "Makhitis") was commissioned on 29 October 2003.[3] In 2018 all of the four ships of the class are in active service.

Gunboat HS P-268 Aittitos of the type HSY-56A at the port of Kos in 2012
Class overview
NameHSY-56A
BuildersHellenic Shipyards
Operators Hellenic Navy
Preceded byHSY-56
In commission2003–present
Planned4
Completed4
Active4
General characteristics
TypeGunboat
Displacement575 tons full load
Length56 m (183 ft 9 in)
Beam10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Draught3.6 m (11 ft 10 in)
Propulsion2 x Wärtsilä Nohab 16V25 diesels; 10,000 hp(m) sustained; 2 shafts
Speed22–23 knots (41–43 km/h; 25–26 mph)
Range2,500 nmi (4,600 km; 2,900 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Troops21
Complement50
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Thales Variant two-dimensional (2D) multipurpose short-medium range surveillance radar
  • Thales Mirador electro-optical target tracker
  • Thales Scout MkII LPI navigation radar
  • Sperry Marine Bridgemaster-E navigation radar
  • Raymarine RL80C MARPA secondary navigation radar
  • Thales LIROD Mk2 fire control tracking system
  • ICMS Tacticos
  • Aeromaritime IFF Mk12
  • ICS 2000 integrated communications system
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • DR 3000 ESM system
  • 1 x MK36 SRBOC decoy launcher
Armament
  • 1 x Oto Melara 76 mm/62 cal. gun ; 85 rounds/min to 16 km (8.6 NM) anti-surface; 12 km (6.6 NM) anti-aircraft;
  • 1 x Bofors 40 mm/70 gun
  • 2 x Rheinmetall Rh202 20 mm guns
  • FIM-92 Stinger portable personal missile launchers

Incidents at sea edit

On 17 January 2018 the second ship of the class Nikiforos was bumped by a Turkish Coast Guard patrol boat while patrolling in the Aegean Sea close to the Imia islets. The Turkish patrol boat was conducting dangerous manoeuvres having as a result a slight collision of the two vessels.[4][5][6] Turkish media reported the incident too but without highlighting the bumping of the Greek ship.[7]

Ships edit

Ship Builder Commissioned Status
P266 Machitis Μαχητής Hellenic Shipyards S.A. October 29, 2003 In active service (2018)
P267 Nikiforos Νικηφόρος Hellenic Shipyards S.A. March 30, 2004 In active service (2018)
P268 Aittitos Αήττητος Hellenic Shipyards S.A. August 5, 2004 In active service (2018)
P269 Krataios Κραταιός Hellenic Shipyards S.A. October 20, 2005 In active service (2018)

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ Hellenic Navy official website, Information and specifications of the gunboats of Hellenic Navy
  2. ^ Swedish company Dellner Brakes has delivered complete brake systems for the gunboats of the Hellenic Navy
  3. ^ "Πολεμικό Ναυτικό - Επίσημη Ιστοσελίδα - Κ/Φ ΜΑΧΗΤΗΣ".
  4. ^ Video of the incident as it was filmed by a crew member of the Turkish coast guard patrol boat (17/01/2018)
  5. ^ Article about the incident in Greek-Australian newspaper "Neos Kosmos"
  6. ^ Turkish patrol boat bumps into Greek gunboat off Imia, Article in the English version of Greek daily newspaper KATHIMERINI (17/01/2018)
  7. ^ Turkish patrol ships collide near disputed islets, Website of Hürriyet.com