The Hellenic Navy has formally named four patrol vessels that were acquired from the United States.
Sister vessels HS Mantouvalos Ioannis, HS Galanis Georgios, HS Liaskos Antonios, and HS Gialopsos Ektoras were originally built in late 1989 as Island-class patrol vessels for the US Coast Guard. The four vessels were retired from US service between 2021 and 2022 and then transferred to Greece beginning in 2023.
The four vessels will be operated in Greece's territorial waters, primarily in the eastern Aegean Sea off the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, and Kos.
Modernisation of the vessels was undertaken by Salamis Shipyards between their arrival in 2023 and October 2024.
The acquisition of the ex-US Coast Guard Island-class patrol vessels is in line with the Hellenic Navy's ongoing fleet modernisation program.
The modernisation also entails the acquisition of three newbuild multi-role frigates from France, the development of special operations support craft and unmanned systems in partnership with a UK company, and the upgrade of four Hydra-class frigates.