On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at the Salamis Naval Station, the naming ceremony and integration into the Hellenic Navy of the new General Support Ship “PERSEAS” took place, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
Present at the ceremony were the Chief of General Staff Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Houpis and the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Dendias.
After the Training Ship “KYKNOS” and the General Support Ships “ATLAS”, “HERCULES” and “AIAS”, this is the donation of the fifth and largest ship to the Hellenic Navy named “PERSEUS”, 105 meters long, which incorporates a number of important technological innovations that will support the operational capabilities of our Fleet to a great extent.
Rear Admiral Panos Laskaridis thanked His Holiness Katerina Sakellaropoulou for the honor of awarding him the Medal of the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor a few days ago, noting that it is a reminder of the debt of all Greeks to the homeland. He also stressed that Perseus, along with the other three RAOs, Atlas, Hercules and Ajax, constitute a powerful quartet that offers the fleet increased capabilities to be more effective. He then referred to the Greek fleet, which has managed to respond to every condition, as well as to the particularly increased responsibilities it has assumed at this particular time.
In closing, after thanking the leadership of the Armed Forces and the leadership of the Navy in recent years, he referred to his family and friends and associates over the years and wished Perseus calm seas and good trips.
A few words about Perseus
The ship underwent a major overhaul in 2007, at a cost of USD 50 million. It has a hybrid propulsion installation, electric propulsion with minimal acoustic signature that allows it to sail without being noticed, excess electrical power of 11MW (capable of powering a medium-sized island), maximum speed of 17 knots, ability to transport and deliver at sea F-76 fuel of about 3,000 cubic meters. meters, a helipad where all helicopters of the Hellenic Armed Forces can land and also has full equipment for seismic and geophysical research missions.
It also has two very large covered decks and an inclined stern from which fast boats can be launched and lifted, as well as three very powerful cranes with a capacity of 10 tons in an area of 10 meters.
The Navy will be able to use the ship in a number of important combat and peaceful missions.
The ship can carry large numbers of military personnel and heavy equipment on its protected and covered decks, and the equipment can be launched and recovered in no time.
