Greece is moving forward with one of the most important fleet modernisation programmes undertaken in recent years for the Hellenic Coast Guard, involving the procurement of two new large Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) exceeding 80 metres in length, with an option for two additional vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The programme, which could ultimately reach a total value of \u20ac360 million if all options are exercised, is intended to substantially strengthen the Hellenic Coast Guard\u2019s ability to conduct extended maritime surveillance, border protection, search-and-rescue and law-enforcement operations across Greece\u2019s extensive maritime domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The procurement is being conducted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy\/Hellenic Coast Guard, with the Strategic Contracts Unit of the Growthfund acting as the conducting authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The core contract covers the procurement of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels of at least 80 metres in overall length, with an estimated value of \u20ac180 million, corresponding to \u20ac90 million per vessel. The procurement is VAT-exempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Importantly, the programme also includes an option for the acquisition of two additional vessels at a further estimated cost of \u20ac180 million. Consequently, should the option be exercised in full, the Hellenic Coast Guard could eventually receive four vessels under a programme with a total estimated value of \u20ac360 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The initial \u20ac180-million procurement is co-financed through Greece\u2019s programme under the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) of the EU Integrated Border Management Fund for the 2021\u20132027 programming period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The planned ships will represent considerably more than conventional patrol vessels. According to the preliminary requirements, they are being designed as large multi-mission platforms capable of sustained operations in demanding conditions and of cooperating with aircraft, helicopters, other Coast Guard vessels and assets operated by other Greek and EU authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their missions will include maritime surveillance and policing, search and rescue, border protection, prevention and suppression of illegal activities at sea, counter-smuggling and counter-narcotics operations, fisheries control, pollution response, boarding and inspection missions, pursuit operations and activities associated with public order and national security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Significantly, the official documentation also identifies the protection of Greece\u2019s maritime borders and Exclusive Economic Zone among their missions, while providing for their contribution to national defence in cooperation with the competent national authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ships will have a minimum overall length of 80 metres and a maximum speed of at least 26 knots. Their required operational range is at least 4,000 nautical miles at a speed of at least 12 knots. Full operational capability is required up to Sea State 6, while survivability is to be maintained at least up to Sea State 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Accommodation will be provided for a crew of 50, together with facilities for another 30 persons. A dedicated area will accommodate 50 rescued persons, while the vessels will also be capable of temporarily carrying at least another 150 people on their external deck areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A particularly important aspect of the programme is the extensive aviation and unmanned-systems capability envisaged for the new vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each ship will feature a flight deck capable of receiving helicopters in the 11-tonne category, together with the necessary helicopter-support facilities. An enclosed hangar will be capable of accommodating a helicopter of approximately six tonnes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each vessel is also planned to operate two vertical take-off and landing UAVs. The unmanned aircraft are required to have a minimum range of 65 nautical miles and an endurance of six hours, while carrying maritime-surveillance radar and thermal imaging sensors. Anti-jamming and anti-spoofing protection is also specified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The surveillance suite is expected to include X-band and S-band marine radars, a 3D surveillance radar \u2014 with an enhanced 2D solution potentially acceptable if it meets operational requirements \u2014 and two 360-degree electro-optical sensor systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sensor and UAV information will be integrated through a Command-and-Control system, while each ship will have a dedicated C2 centre. The vessels will also be capable of transmitting tactical and sensor imagery in real time to the Hellenic Coast Guard\u2019s operational centres and exchanging information with other vessels through encrypted communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For interception and boarding operations, each OPV will carry at least two fast boats of at least nine metres in length and capable of speeds exceeding 45 knots, in addition to a dedicated rescue boat. At least one of the fast craft is expected to be launched through a stern ramp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The permanent armament specified at this stage consists of at least one remotely operated 30mm gun and two remotely operated 12.7mm machine guns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project has been under development for several years. The procurement of two OPVs was incorporated into Greece\u2019s Border Management and Visa Instrument programme, with \u20ac180 million allocated for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A major step was taken on 27 May 2026, when the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs opened a preliminary market consultation under reference 2026DIAB32982<\/strong>. Together with the consultation, the authorities published the draft documentation for Phase A of the planned Competitive Dialogue procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The consultation was originally scheduled to close on 10 June 2026. It was subsequently extended until 20 June 2026<\/strong>, allowing interested economic operators additional time to submit comments and observations on the proposed procurement documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As of late July 2026, no subsequent official announcement has been identified formally launching Phase A with final dates for the submission of expressions of interest. The published Phase A draft still contains blank placeholders for the formal publication date, deadline for expressions of interest and opening of applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The programme should therefore be regarded as having completed its preliminary market-consultation stage and moving towards the formal competitive tender procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The procurement will use a Competitive Dialogue<\/strong> procedure, allowing the Hellenic Coast Guard to engage with qualified shipbuilders and suppliers before freezing the final configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The procedure is structured around two principal phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During Phase A<\/strong>, interested companies will submit expressions of interest and will be assessed on criteria including professional and technical capability, financial and economic standing, quality assurance and environmental-management standards. Candidates satisfying the requirements will be pre-selected for the next phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phase B<\/strong> will then consist of two stages. During Stage B.I, the Hellenic Coast Guard and the pre-selected bidders will enter into the Competitive Dialogue. Shipbuilders will be able to submit and discuss proposed technical solutions covering the ships\u2019 design, machinery, sensors, communications, aviation facilities, accommodation and other systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This process is particularly significant because the specifications currently published are not necessarily the final configuration. The contracting authority states that the detailed technical requirements will be determined through the Competitive Dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the dialogue has been concluded, the authorities will establish the final basic design and technical requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The programme will then enter Stage B.II<\/strong>, during which the qualified competitors will be invited to submit their final binding technical and financial offers. The contract will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender, using the best price-quality ratio rather than price alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the factors expected to influence the final evaluation are maximum speed, surveillance-sensor performance, ship length, warranty period, UAV performance, provision of electric propulsion for low-speed operations, the configuration and performance of the fast boats, and potentially additional capabilities proposed during the dialogue, including anti-drone and anti-jamming systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exact delivery schedule will also be refined during the Competitive Dialogue, although the published documentation specifies that the delivery period for the vessels cannot exceed 36 months<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The programme marks an important evolution in the capabilities of the Hellenic Coast Guard. With a length exceeding 80 metres, long-range endurance, helicopter and UAV operations, sophisticated surveillance and C2 systems, high-speed interception craft and permanent armament, the future ships will provide capabilities extending well beyond those of conventional coastal patrol vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their combination of maritime surveillance, border protection, search-and-rescue, law-enforcement and national-security capabilities reflects the increasingly complex operational environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The immediate milestone to watch is now the formal launch of Phase A and the invitation for expressions of interest<\/strong>. This will reveal which European and international shipbuilders intend to compete for the programme and will initiate the process that will ultimately determine the final design of what could become a four-ship class of new-generation Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Hellenic Coast Guard.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Greece is moving forward with one of the most important fleet modernisation programmes undertaken in recent years for the Hellenic Coast Guard, involving the procurement of two new large Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) exceeding 80 metres in length, with an option for two additional vessels. The programme, which could ultimately reach a total value of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17368,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-greek-defence-news"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Happens Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A Major Upgrade for the Hellenic Coast Guard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n