The Hellenic Navy has sent a strong message of deterrence and operational readiness with a series of high-profile guided missile live-fire exercises conducted across the Southern Ionian Sea. In a demanding and complex operational environment, surface units, naval helicopters, and aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force participated in advanced scenarios—culminating in the successful sinking of two target vessels.
A Return to Real-World Readiness
Over the past three years, the Navy has reinstated live guided-missile firings as the capstone phase of crew operational training—a practice effectively suspended for nearly 25 years. These recent drills serve as a vital tool for evaluating tactics, refining procedures, and sustaining high levels of combat readiness.
Harpoon Missiles Take Center Stage
U.S.-made RGM-84D Block 1C Harpoon anti-ship missiles—carried by the Navy’s frigates—played a leading role. With a range exceeding 80 nautical miles, the missiles were launched against a distant target. Rather than following a simple straight-line trajectory, they executed programmed course changes and complex maneuvers using the well-known ‘sea skimming’ tactic—flying just meters above the sea surface to evade detection.
Equipped with a 220-kilogram warhead and reaching speeds approaching Mach 0.7 in their terminal phase, the Harpoon is designed to penetrate a ship’s hull before detonating—inflicting catastrophic internal damage.
Exocet MM40 Adds Precision and Stealth
Greek Super Vita fast attack craft also contributed significantly, launching French-made Exocet MM40 missiles. Capable of Mach 0.93 and armed with a 165-kilogram warhead, these missiles exploit ultra-low-altitude flight—skimming mere meters above the waves—to drastically reduce radar detection time and increase survivability during approach.
Of particular note is the latest Exocet MM40 Block IIIc variant, now integrated aboard Greece’s new FDI frigates—enhancing the fleet’s long-range precision strike capability.