Navy: Within January two coastal patrol cars are delivered to the Greek fleet

In Salamis Shipyard the last works on the two coastal island-class and are expected to be delivered to . In the Navy fleet two coastal patrols type P-197 “MANTUVALOS” and P-198 “GALANIS” had initially been delivered. In January two more are to be added, P-288 “LIASCOS” and P-289 “YALOPSOS”. Within December the sea trials scheduled to last just a few weeks will begin as there is already experience from the ‘sea trials’ of the first two ships completed without problems. According to design, when the first two Coastal Patrols within January will set sail for the Eastern Aegean, the Navy will pick up the next two. It has yet to be clarified when the official naming ceremony will take place and whether it will include all four ships or will concern only the first two before they undertake a mission. The training of crews for Coastal Patrols “Mandouvalos” and “GALANIS” is already in full progress, while in the following weeks the two next Patrols are to be fully staffed. The undertaking of missions from the four islands also implies the withdrawal of a similar number of older Coastal Patrols, which have been operating for many decades in the Eastern Aegean. In the naval staff there is thought about trying to acquire additional surveillance ships in order to replace all older ships. The target is both used Island and other types of Patrol available to the US Coast Guard. Their reliability in combination with the low maintenance costs and the limited number crew they require are important advantages for these vessels which are considered necessary for the monitoring needs. Marine Protector’s commission As already reported by OnAlert.gr, the Navy progresses procedures to acquire three used Marine Protector patrol cars from American defense stockpiles through the EDA program. The relevant proposal of the naval staff was approved by the Board of Chiefs of General Staff with the program going through the following period and by the CYSEA in order to proceed as soon as possible. Marine Protectors have already been inspected by a specialized Navy Officers scale where they were deemed to be in very good condition and after limited work they will be completely operational. The three patrol cars are included in the list of “as is where is” weapons systems in Greece via EDA. The cost of transport and work in order to reach our country and become operational units, which will be integrated into the fleet’s arsenal, is estimated at around EUR 5 million per vessel, a total of EUR 15 million and will be borne by Greece and the Navy. Already, Congress has approved the free grant of Marine Protector to our country, as part of the total free defense aid. The increased migration flows, which have been observed lately as slavers despite adverse weather conditions do not hesitate to move immigrants leave no room for complacency. At the same time, the Oversight ships form along with other means the “eyes” of the Navy in the Eastern Aegean by recording any movement of warships on the Turkish coastline and the nastathmus of the neighbors. Source: Kostas Sarikas / OnAlert.gr