The Diplomat
Navantia has submitted an ambitious offer to meet the needs of the Greek Navy with its latest smart frigate model, the F-110, the Spanish company said.
The proposal, which was submitted on 21 May, comprises the construction of four new frigates, modernising four Greek Hydra-class ships and potentially providing two additional ships as a transitional solution to meet the needs of the Greek Navy.
The shipping company stresses that the proposal “illustrates the international interest in the F-110, which is destined to become the mainstay of the Spanish Navy’s fleet”. The F-110 has been designed at the forefront of intelligent ships, incorporating the latest production and operational technology. The F-110 is characterised by its interoperability with European and American systems, state-of-the-art armament and the use of the “digital twin” for operational simulation and real-time risk assessment.
Navantia is committed to delivering the vessels within the deadlines required by the Hellenic Navy, combining design and engineering and manufacturing capabilities in Spain with construction, assembly and delivery in Greece. Therefore, this programme aims to be an engine of employment generation and economic growth for both Mediterranean countries, in parallel to the construction of the F-110 for the Spanish Navy.
Navantia’s strategic collaboration with the Greek industrial ecosystem envisages an ambitious programme of skills and technology transfer to revitalise Greek industry and build a network of industrial partners and suppliers in Greece, in close collaboration with Navantia’s network of regular collaborators in Spain.
Navantia will facilitate the achievement of innovation and knowledge transfer agreements between the two Mediterranean powers, generating opportunities for both ecosystems.
“This proposal once again strengthens Navantia’s leading role in the international naval and defence panorama, consolidated as an export and technology and know-how transfer partner for countries such as Norway, Australia and Saudi Arabia”, the company said.
With this objective in mind, from 9 June, Navantia will launch an Industry Portal (“Industry Day”) in web format to involve potential industrial partners and suppliers, both Greek and Spanish. It will explain the project in detail for interested companies, offer the possibility of scheduling individual meetings with Navantia and culminate in collaboration agreements for the programme.
“We are proud to be able to offer the Greek Navy our most advanced vessel, the F-110, which represents a technological leap in capabilities,” said the president of Navantia, Ricardo Domínguez. “We are confident of repeating with the F-110 the successes of its predecessor, and to this end we are embarking on intense commercial work,” he added.
The offer presented to the Greek Navy is fully in line with the company’s Strategic Plan, which is committed to strengthening commercial work to increase military procurement and, at the same time, to promote the sale of services and new business models such as life cycle support (LCS) and technology transfer (ToT).
“Navantia has extensive experience in technology transfer and naval capacity building in partner countries, as we have demonstrated in Australia, Norway and, more recently, Saudi Arabia. Our track record in this field and our willingness to collaborate with the Greek industry bring significant added value to our proposal,” said the Commercial and Business Development Director, Javier Herrador.
