Greece may abandon French and Italian ships to order US Constellation-class guided-missile frigates

The US Navy wants to get rid of coastal ships in the future and replace them with Constellation-class frigates with guided missiles. The potential buyer is Greece.

Here's What We Know

The European country needs new ships and wants to localise their production within the country. Greece has already sent a corresponding request to the American government. If approved, Athens will refuse Italian and French ships.

The Constellation-class frigates were previously known as FFG (X). Fincantieri Marinette Marine won the contract to build the ships in the spring of 2020. It competed with Austal USA, General Dynamics, HII and Lockheed Martin.

The first frigate will be called Constellation (FFG 62). The company has received nearly $800 million for detailed design and construction. It is expected to join the US fleet in 2026. The US Navy has also ordered the Congress (FFG 63) and Chesapeake (FFG 64) ships.

The Constellation-class frigates will be 151 metres long, 19.8 metres wide, have a displacement of 6,700 tonnes and a range of almost 10,000 km. They will carry AN/SPY-6(V)3 and AN/SPS-73(V)18 radars.

The ships will be able to launch NSM (Naval Strike Missile), RIM-162 ESSM, as well as Standard Missile 6 and Standard Missile 2MR Block 3C missiles. Artillery will include a 57mm Bosfors system and several machine guns.

Source: Flash