Thales has secured a contract from Greece to upgrade the mission systems of the Hellenic Navy’s Hydra-class frigates.
Under the agreement, the MEKO 200-based warships will receive the latest version of the Tacticos Combat Management System along with NS100 surveillance radar and STIR fire-control sensor systems.
Thales will conduct the frigates’ mid-life modernization and provide ongoing local support services. The company also plans to continue cooperating with domestic defense industry partners to sustain the fleet after the upgrade program is completed.
Combat Systems Upgrade
The modernization initiative aims to improve the operational effectiveness of the four Hydra-class frigates, which first entered Greek naval service in the early 1990s.
The software-defined NS100 S-band radar uses dual-axis multi-beam AESA technology to deliver advanced situational awareness, including long-range surface monitoring and target tracking capabilities out to 280 kilometers (174 miles).
The STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 system integrates radar and electro-optical sensors to support precise target engagement in complex maritime environments.
At the center of the modernization effort is the Tacticos combat management system, which will coordinate sensor operations, compile tactical data, assist command decisions, and manage weapon systems aboard the frigates.
MEKO 200-Based Warship
The Hydra-class is based on the MEKO 200 frigate design created by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
Each vessel is 117.5 meters (386 feet) long with a beam of 14.8 meters (48.7 feet).
The ships use a propulsion arrangement combining diesel engines, gas turbines, and controllable-pitch propellers, enabling top speeds of approximately 57 kilometers (36 miles) per hour.
The frigates are equipped with automated naval guns, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Evolved SeaSparrow missiles, and torpedoes, while their flight decks can operate a single Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopter.
Each ship can accommodate up to 170 personnel.
