La Combattante IIIb class fast attack craft

Similar but newer craft design than FACM Class La Combattante III, with main difference that they use Kongsberg Penguin Mk 2 Mod 3 missiles. Six ships were built at Hellenic Shipyards (first launching in 1979), but Kostakos (P 25) sunk after collision with a ferry in November 1996.

Modernization

The Hellenic Navy has decided to modernize the Fast Attack Craft Missile Class La Combattante III and La Combattante IIIb.For the four Combattante III fast attack craft, Thales Nederland will deliver a TACTICOS combat management system, including four multifunctional operator consoles, one surveillance radar, one fire control tracking system, one electro-optical tracking and fire control system, an integrated low probability of interception radar, two target designation sights and a tactical data link. The weapon suite of the Combattantes III will remain unchanged. Thales will also be responsible for the integration of these existing guns, surface-to-surface missiles and torpedo system. The first of the four ships will be ready mid 2006, followed by the other three with six months intervals.

Ships

• PGFG Kavaloudis (P 24), commissioned 14 July 1980.
• PGFG Degiannis (P 26), commissioned Dec 1980.
• PGFG Xenos (P 27), commissioned 31 Mar 1981.
• PGFG Simitzopoulos (P 28), commissioned June 1981.
• PGFG Starakis (P 29), commissioned 12 Oct 1981.

Specifications

• Displacement Full Load (tonnes): 431.8
• Displacement Standard (tonnes): 364.7
• Length (m): 56.2
• Beam (m): 8
• Draught (m): 2.1
• Range (nm): 700
• Main machinery: 4 MTU 20V 538 TB91 diesels; 15,360 hp(m) (11.29 MW) sustained; 4 shafts
• Speed, knots: 32.5
• Range, miles: 700 at 32 kt; 2,700 at 15 kt
• Crew: 42 (5 officers)
• Missiles: Kongsberg Penguin Mk 2 Mod 3 (P 24-P 29); inertial/IR homing to 27 km (15 n miles)at 0.8 Mach; warhead 120 kg.
• Guns: 2 OTO Melara 3 in (76 mm)/62 compact; 85 rds/min to 16 km (8.6 n miles) anti-surface; 12 km (6.5 n miles) anti-aircraft; weight of shell 6 kg.

4 Emerson Electric 30 mm (2 twin); multipurpose; 1,200 rds/min combined to 6 km (3.2 n miles); weight of shell 0.35 kg.

• Torpedoes: 2-21 in (533 mm)aft tubes. AEG SST-4; anti-surface; wire-guided; active homing to 12 km (6.5 n miles) at 35 kt; passive homing to 28 km (15 n miles) at 23 kt; warhead 250 kg.
• Countermeasures: Decoys: Wegmann chaff launchers.

ESM: Thomson-CSF DR 2000S; intercept.

References

• http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/