Hellenic Navy Fast Boat Command
General Info
A century ago, a new threat to surface warships appeared which changed the existing methods of naval warfare, creating a necessity to change the prevailing doctrines. This was the small, flexible, fast moving torpedo boats , larger than the fast boats, which carried torpedoes as their main weapon.
On November 21, 1966 the Fleet of Fast Boats (FFB) was founded, based in the port of Amfiali. The first commander is the vice-captain G.Dimitropoulos H.N. It is the first time that the Fast Boats are an independent command in the Hellenic Navy with direct reporting to Fleet Headquarters, as until then they were subordinated to the commanders of the Aegean and Ionian fleets.
The first fast boats to form the Fleet of Fast Boats were six (6) Nasty-type torpedo boats.
The decade of the 1970s is the most important in the history of the Fast Patrol Boats Command since the first four (4) Fast Patrol Boats type ”COMBAΤΤΑΝΤΕ ΙΙ’’ acquired.
In the period 1976-1978 four (4) Fast Patrol Boats type ”COMBAΤΤΑΝΤΕ ΙΙI-A’’, seven (7) Fast Patrol Boats type ”JAGUAR’’ and as well as a significant number of coastal patrols acquired.
On April 25, 1980 by presidential decree the Fleet of Fast Boats (FFB) was renamed Fast Patrol Boats Command (FPB). From July of the same year until October 1981 Fast Patrol Boats Command has received the six (6) Fast Patrol Boats type ”COMBAΤΤΑΝΤΕ ΙΙI-B’’ from the Hellenic Shipyards.
During the second half of the 1990s, the six Fast Patrol Boats type ”S-148’’ acquired.
With the passage of time and the continuous development of technology as well as the rapid change and increase in the requirements of maritime operations was created the necessity for construction of modern Fast Boats with greater armament capabilities. In particular to be equipped with semi-automatic and automatic guns as well as with guided missiles in the next phase in order to operate with speed, having firepower so as to combine it with the advantage of surprise.
The result of the above is the signing of the contract for the acquisition of the Fast Patrol Boats type ”Vosper’’ that would be built at the Elefsina shipyards. From 2005 to 2023, seven Fast Patrol Boats type ‘Vosper’ have been delivered.
Operational Activity - Tasks
Units of FPB Command, as part of the mission, participate in national and allied/multinational exercises and operations as follows:
- Operations “Sea Guardian”, SNMG2, Surveillance – Protection of eastern Aegean islands.
- Participation in Hellenic Navy’s operations in corresponding in emergency situations (SAR, MEDEVAC etc), humanitarian programs (transportation of doctors to islands of Hellenic Seas) and also participation in ceremonial events.
- Maritime Interidiction Operations (boarding, prosecution of smuggling, control of SLOC’s etc).
- Support to assist refugee and migrant crisis in Aegean Sea.
Mission
The mission of FBP Command, is to operate in accordance with the orders and directions of the Fleet HQ. Another aspect of its mission is the organization, the administration, the operational training, the planning maintenance and generally the readiness and preparation of the warships for battle, with the purpose to accomplish the mission or the tasks which are assigned by the Chief of Fleet HQ.
Organization
For operational reasons and administrative flexibility, of training and supporting, the FPB Command includes:
- Two Squadrons of Fast Patrol boats (FPBS 1,2) in which there are eight Fast Patrol Boats in the first and nine in the second, administrated by the two Commanders of these two Squadrons.
- Fast Patrol Boat Training Center
- Fast Patrol Boat Base
Ships
The FPB Command possesses seventeen (17) Fast Patrol Boats.
Fast Patrol boat squadron 1
- HS GRIGOROPOULOS
- HS KARATHANASIS
- HS KRYSTALLIDIS
- HS LASKOS
- HS TROUPAKIS
- HS DEGIANNIS
- HS SIMITZOPOULOS
- HS STARAKIS
Fast Patrol boat squadron 2
- HS ROUSSEN
- HS DANIOLOS
- HS RITSOS
- HS BLESSAS
- HS MYKONIOS
- HS XENOS
- HS MARIDAKIS
- HS VLACHAKOS
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