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 | |
|---|---|
| Name | HSY-56A |
| Builders | Hellenic Shipyards |
| Operators |  Hellenic Navy |
| Preceded by | HSY-56 |
| In commission | 2003–present |
| Planned | 4 |
| Completed | 4 |
| Active | 4 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Gunboat |
| Displacement | 575 tons full load |
| Length | 56 m (183 ft 9 in) |
| Beam | 10 m (32 ft 10 in) |
| Draught | 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion | 2 x Wärtsilä Nohab 16V25 diesels; 10,000 hp(m) sustained; 2 shafts |
| Speed | 22–23 knots (41–43 km/h; 25–26 mph) |
| Range | 2,500 nmi (4,600 km; 2,900 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Troops | 21 |
| Complement | 50 |
| Sensors and processing systems |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys |
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| Armament |
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Incidents at sea
editOn 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 (2024) |
| 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-
P 268 Aittitos at Faliron Bay (2008) -
P 268 Aittitos at the port of Kos (2012)
References
edit- ^ Hellenic Navy official website, Information and specifications of the gunboats of Hellenic Navy
- ^ Swedish company Dellner Brakes has delivered complete brake systems for the gunboats of the Hellenic Navy
- ^ "Πολεμικό Ναυτικό - Επίσημη Ιστοσελίδα - Κ/Φ ΜΑΧΗΤΗΣ".
- ^ Video of the incident as it was filmed by a crew member of the Turkish coast guard patrol boat (17/01/2018)
- ^ Article about the incident in Greek-Australian newspaper "Neos Kosmos"
- ^ Turkish patrol boat bumps into Greek gunboat off Imia, Article in the English version of Greek daily newspaper KATHIMERINI (17/01/2018)
- ^ Turkish patrol ships collide near disputed islets, Website of Hürriyet.com