# Elli-class frigate

The Elli-class frigates are a series of frigates operated by the Hellenic Navy. The ships are of Dutch origin and are also known as Kortenaer-class or Standard-class or S-class frigates. The first two ships (Elli and Limnos), which have lengthened hangars and different armament were built specifically for the Hellenic Navy. The remaining ships are ex-Royal Netherlands Navy S-frigates of the Kortenaer class transferred to the Hellenic Navy in the 1990s and early 2000s. These robust and reliable ships constitute the backbone of the Hellenic Navy. Elli, for which the class is named, is itself named after two famous Greek cruisers, one of which was sunk during peacetime before the Greco-Italian War.

## Mid-life modernization project

There was a mid life modernization programme for six of the ten Greek ships which started in 2004 and was completed in 2009. The program was performed at Hellenic Shipyards and the upgraded frigates were the following: Kountouriotis (F-462), Adrias (F-459), Navarinon (F-461), Limnos (F-451), Elli (F-450), and Aegaeon (F-460).
The main modernization work included the following:
* Replacement of the combat management system with the Thales TACTICOS
* Installation of new sensors, like the Thales Mirador electro-optical target tracker
* Installation of Thales Scout MkII LPI navigation radar
* Overhaul and improvement of radars (WM25 and LW08 long range air-search radar)
* Installation of EDO (now part of Harris Corporation) CS-3701 ESM system
* Replacement of navigation systems and upgrade of communications systems
* Replacement of propulsion control system and of defined platform systems.
Bouboulina (F-463) was decommissioned on 18 February 2013. It will be used as a source for spare parts.

## Incidents at sea

On 2 November 2017 Kanaris ran aground near the islet Atalanti, southwest of Psyttaleia in the Saronic Gulf, on the way back to the Salamis Naval Base. There were no personnel injuries and no fuel leaks but there was serious hull damage which according to news reports affected the SONAR shell. After 8 months of absence for repairs the ship was again operational in July 2018 using the SONAR and dome from decommissioned Bouboulina (F-463).

## Ships

| Ship | Namesake | Commissioning date into the Royal Netherlands Navy | Commissioning into the Hellenic Navy | Status |
| Aigaion (F-460) Φ/Γ Αιγαίον | Aegean Sea | 29 October 1980 | 14 May 1993 | In service |
| Adrias (F-459) Φ/Γ Αδρίας | Adriatic Sea | 26 July 1979 | 30 June 1995 | In service |
| Bouboulina (F-463) Φ/Γ Μπουμπουλίνα | Laskarina Bouboulina | 11 October 1983 | 14 December 2001 | Decommissioned (18 February 2013) |
| Elli (F-450) Φ/Γ Έλλη | Naval Battle of Elli | | 1982 | In service |
| Kanaris (F-464) Φ/Γ Κανάρης | Konstantinos Kanaris | 14 April 1983 | 29 November 2002 | In service |
| Kountouriotis (F-462) Φ/Γ Κουντουριώτης | Pavlos Kountouriotis | 26 October 1978 | 15 December 1997 | In service |
| Limnos (F-451) Φ/Γ Λήμνος | Naval Battle of Lemnos | | 18 September 1982 | In service |
| Navarinon (F-461) Φ/Γ Ναυαρίνον | Battle of Navarino | 24 April 1980 | 1 March 1995 | In service |
| Nikiforos Fokas (F-466) Φ/Γ Νικηφόρος Φωκάς | Nikephoros II | 25 November 1982 | 2003 | In service |
| Themistoklis (F-465) Φ/Γ Θεμιστοκλής - | Themistocles | 2 December 1981 | 2003 | In service |

## Gallery

* HS Adrias (F-459) anchored in the old (north) port of Patras, Greece (June 2020)
* HS Kanaris (F-464)
* HS Limnos (F-451)
* HS Nikiforos Fokas (F-466) at sea in August 2014
* HS Themistocles (F-465)